Receiver U

Some fun things can be found at the college football portion of NFL.com (CFB 24/7: Path to the Draft). The NFL analysts are in the middle of a series profiling the schools that have the "best collection of talent in the NFL at five different positions-QB, RB, WR, TE, and DB." Each profile is intriguing but I was particularly interested in Wide Receiver U because I thought that Cal could be in contention. Cal hasn't had a large presence on the college football scene since the best years of Jeff Tedford. A time that feels like decades ago. The Golden Bears are improving under head coach Sonny Dykes and having Jared Goff selected first overall in the 2016 NFL Draft brought some attention. If Cal football has done anything of note in recent years it's sending receivers to the NFL. The analysts noticed.

5. Cal
WRs on 53-man week 1 rosters: (6)
Keenan Allen (Chargers)
Trevor Davis (Packers)
DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
Marvin Jones (Lions)
Chris Harper (49ers)
In the pipeline: Chad Hanson, Demetris Robertson

-I'd add Melquise Stovall to that pipeline. Maybe a couple of the other youngsters as well.

4. Ohio State
WRs on 53-man week 1 rosters: 6
Philly Brown (Panthers)
Ted Ginn Jr. (Panthers)
Jalin Marshall (Jets)
Braxton Miller (Texans)
Terrelle Pryor (Browns)
Michael Thomas (Saints)
Devin Smith (Jets) is on the PUP list.
In the pipeline: Noah Brown, Curtis Samuel

3. Alabama
WRs on 53-man week 1 rosters: 2
Amari Cooper (Raiders)
Julio Jones (Falcons)
In the pipeline: Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart

2. Clemson
WRs on 53-man week 1 rosters: 5
Jaron Brown (Cardinals)
DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
Adam Humphries (Buccaneers)
Charone Peake (Jets)
Sammy Watkins (Bills)
Martavis Bryant (Colts) is suspended
In the pipeline: Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud, Artavis Scott, Mike Williams

1. LSU
WRs on 53-man week 1 rosters: 5
Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)
Brandon LaFell (Bengals)
Jarvis Landry (Dolphins)
Russell Sheppard (Buccaneers)
James Wright (Bengals)
In the pipeline: Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural

Also receiving votes: Notre Dame, Miami

Maybe I'm a homer but Clemson and LSU are the only schools that outpace Cal's recent history of sending receivers to the NFL. Alabama only has two receivers in the NFL. Granted, they are of very high quality but two is hardly strong enough for "Receiver U" recognition. Two is more accident than trend. Ohio State matches Cal in quantity but not in quality. Two of the Buckeyes (Braxton Miller and Terrelle Pryor) played most, if not all, of their college days at quarterback. Pryor was drafted as a quarterback and made the switch to receiver later. The Buckeyes might be up for "Athlete U" but "Receiver U" is a stretch in my book.

Fun stuff. Check out the QB, RB, and TE lists. DBs have yet to be posted. Cal made appearances on the QB and RB lists as well. Go Bears!