SEC StatCat's Top5 Midrange Pass Catchers for 2021

The increased emphasis on more RPOs, screens or underneath routes paired with vertical shots from offenses the past few years has resulted in the intermediate game failing to be as prevalent as it once was in the college ranks. Though maybe less common than in years past or bang for buck as other kinds of throws, there is still certain value in finding completions between 11 and 19 yards downfield. Things can change when the action starts, but here are the SEC’s top5 most efficient intermediate targets returning for 2021. 

5. Jaray Jenkins

Though teammate Kayshon Boutte turned heads late in the season in this area of the field, LSU’s Jaray Jenkins is one of the most reliable midrange options returning to the SEC. Despite seeing over a seventh of his such targets logged as uncatchable, the Tigers commands the the 6th-best Catch Rate. No other pass catcher on this list finished with a figure north of 8%. But when passes were within his reach, he tended to come through. A fifth of his catches resulted in a tuddy, which cracks the top5. Though he didn’t create an opportunity for himself, Jenkins’ midrange efficiency is accentuated by his top3 yards per intermediate target and Depth Adjusted Catch Rate that applies more weight towards downfield throws while omitting uncatchable balls. 

4. Treylon Burks

Though a lot of casual fans are fixated by total yard figures, Arkansas’ Treylon Burks is one the shortlist of SEC pass catchers that can also boast efficient numbers with his volume. Between 11 and 19 yards downfield, Burks compiled the conference’s 4th-most yards last fall and enters 2021 with the 5th-best raw Catch Rate and Depth-Adjusted Catch Rate. Though praiseworthy in that sense, the Razorback still logged a double-digit Drop Rate. But before you start trashing Burks, no returner can trump his impressive 16.7% Creation Rate. Despite being gifted one of the conference most accurate passers, he had to take matters into his own hands on occasion. Bad puns aside, Burks’ play produced the SEC’s 3rd-best yards per intermediate target with a 14.8 figure. 

3. Nick Muse

What’s this? A Tight end? Damn straight. Nick Muse will enter 2021 as South Carolina’s safety valve after another season posting pretty good returns as a midrange option. Though a 14% Drop Rate makes his selection an offbeat choice, only one returner bests the Gamecock’s 92.7% Depth Adjusted Catch Rate in this area of the field. Again, this stat omits uncatchable attempts in part of its calculation. But in case you were curious, his raw 78.6% Catch Rate shares the SEC’s bronze medal for this fall. No he didn’t haul in a TD here, but he did manage to create a catch for himself. His such rate is the 6th-highest amongst qualifiers for next season. Plus, his Yards/Target is top5-worthy. 

2. Kearis Jackson

Primarily from the slot, Kearis Jackson was one of Georgia’s most productive intermediate receivers. Thanks to seeing far less inaccurate and uncatchable attempts than  George Pickens, his efficiency in this area of the field is one of the best amongst conference returners. In fact, Jackson didn’t log a single uncatchable midrange target or drop a pass, which obviously buoyed his bottomline. Without much interference, Jackson sports the conference’s 2nd-best raw Catch Rate and the 4th-best depth-adjusted clip ahead of this fall. For good measure, his Yards/Target also reached that plateau. Though not really a factory for scores with these attempts, Jackson proved to be a decent magician per his 3rd-best Creation Rate amongst his peers. 

1. Ben Bresnahan

Vanderbilt’s offense churned out a horrible result last fall. But one of its bright spots was tight end Ben Bresnahan. Though undoubtedly an option that doesn’t venture too far from the line of scrimmage, Bresnahan’s overall receiving numbers were fueled by his terrific output as a midrange pass catcher. Used to being banged around and nothing coming easy, the Commodore took this adversity head on and posted the SEC’s top Intermediate Catch Rate and Yards/Target. His Depth Adjusted Catch Rate in this area of the field was a perfect 100% and his Drop Rate was polar opposite of that clip. Along with tying Jackson with a 7.7% Creation Rate, a quarter of his such catches resulted in six points. Of his 302 yards, 217 came via the intermediate game, which is the exact same as Texas A&M’s Jalen Wydermeyer despite the Aggie doubling him up in targets.