Ole Miss Football: Why the NWO is the Best WR Corps in the Nation

In 2017 Ole Miss football watched the rise of the NWO and now in the 2018 season the NWO is being recognized among the nations best WR corps.

When it comes to Ole Miss football there have been some truly great wide receivers over the years. Ole Miss has long been known for recruiting and developing some of the top receivers in the country. In recent seasons, with great QBs and the fast paced Rebels offenses, the WRs have been able to put up impressive numbers. The 2017 season turned into a great season for a very good group and produced the SEC leader (75 receptions, 1,252 yards and 11 TDs) in both receiving yards and TDs. Three other Ole Miss receivers finished in the SEC Top25 in receiving yardage with two WRs finishing in the Top10 in TDs

2017 was a huge breakout season for the NWO and with the receivers they have this season could be even better. In fact it would surprise a lot of people and especially Ole Miss football fans if they weren’t. Junior AJ Brown is already selected as a 2018 Preseason First Team All-American and a 2018 Preseason First Team All-SEC. You finish out the talented trio of key returners with another junior DK Metcalf and senior DaMarkus Lodge both who had very good 2017 seasons. There really is no disputing the talented WR corps of the NWO being the best in the nation.

While 2018 may be an entirely new football season you can look at last seasons receiving stats, both individual and as a group and see the prospect of this season. The total 2017 receiving numbers for the NWO (7 receivers) had 209 receptions for 3,203 yards and 27 TDs. The bulk of those numbers coming from the three main 2018 returners in the NWO who combined for 155 receptions for 2,596 yards and 25 TDs. The NWO seemed to take a hit in the off-season with the loss of one WR to graduation and two more to transfers but the 2018 version looks as equally impressive possibly even better.

The NWO 2018 Edition

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When you think of the 2018 edition of the NWO you see some seasoned returning veterans and then you see some really exceptional young talent. The NWO consists of 16 WRs but immediately you recognize Brown, Lodge and Metcalf who are the three main returning starters. All three have legit speed, run great routes, have great hands and are dangerous in the open field. Each of the three are a highlight reel just waiting to happen.

AJ Brown is lethal and opposing defenses know it. Brown will likely face double-coverage much of the time while still being a true matchup nightmare for even the best secondaries he faces. Even when Brown isn’t being targeted the distraction he creates allows other receivers to make plays. Brown has already played and performed against the best secondaries in the nation and had success. 2018 will be no different.

The other two starters Damarkus Lodge and junior DK Metcalf are both also scary good and will have tremendous 2018 seasons. In 2017 Lodge had 41 receptions for 698 yards and 7 TDs while Metcalf pulled in 39 receptions for 646 yards and also had 7 TDs. After Brown, Lodge and Metcalf should get the bulk of targets from quarterback Jordan Ta’amu this season and will likely put up huge numbers.

So Who’s Next?

Last season four other NWO receivers combined for 54 receptions for 607 yards and 2 TDs. Three of whom are now gone leaving sophomore Braylon Sanders as the only other NWO receiver to register stats in 2017. Sanders was limited to just 4 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD however he should significant playing time in 2018 and will have a chance to put up good numbers. Also figuring into the NWO’s receiving rotation this season are seniors Alex Weber and Floyd Allen.

There goes the all the experience NWO has to offer but oh there is so much more young talent which will make an impact in 2018. In the wings the NWO has some freshmen who are expected to be immediate impact players for the Rebels. Coach Matt Luke and receivers coach Jacob Peeler went after some top high-school WR targets in the 2018 signing class and raked in some of the best prospects in the nation. Freshmen Demarcus Gregory, Miles Battle and Elijah Moore are all expected to see action in 2018.

The Rest Of The NWO

Nevin Wells, Freshman
Harrison Homberg, Freshman
Josh Ricketts, Freshman
Jared Farlow, Freshman
Drake Beck, Freshman
Jacob Carter, Sophomore
Ryan Drew, Junior

So that is the 2018 version of the NWO and they are ready to take the nation by storm. The NWO is made up of some of the best receivers in the country but as a group there is no other receivers corps in the nation this good. 2018 is going to be a great year for Ole Miss football and the NWO will be a huge part of making it happen. The NWO will be in action September 1 in Houston when the Rebels take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Good luck to the NWO this season! Hotty Toddy!