Ole Miss Football: 3 reasons A.J. Brown will be nation’s best receiver in 2018

1. Led all sophomore receivers in yards and touchdowns

Brown’s first four full games of the season all yielded fantastic production. Aside from losses to Alabama and Cal Golden Bears where Brown dealt with a knee injury, he caught at least eight passes for more than 100 yards. He also nabbed six touchdown catches in those four contests.

The only other sophomore receiver that was even close to matching Brown’s production was Denzel Mims of the Baylor Bears. Mims compiled 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns in a brutal season for Baylor.

Brown actually finished the regular season fifth in the nation in receiving yards, with 1,252, and tied for fourth in the nation in touchdowns, with 11. He finished behind superstars like Oklahoma State’s James Washington and Colorado State’s Michael Gallup in those categories.

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With both Washington and Gallup running out of eligibility at the conclusion of bowl season, Brown could be the next man up to statistically be the best at his position. He already possesses the strength and athleticism required to be in consideration for best in the country.