While the SEC is known for its strength in the trenches, it also boasts some of the NFL’s premier talent at the specialty positions. Now that Last Word has covered the SEC’s best returning offensive linemen, it’s time to take a look at the best returning receivers. Athletic freaks like Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers have moved on. Despite their absence, there will be no shortage of explosive athletes on the perimeter in the SEC this year.

The five best returning receivers in the SEC

5. Isaiah Bond – Texas

Isaiah Bond, known for his miraculous, game-winning catch in last year’s Iron Bowl, has now transferred from Alabama to Texas. On paper, this is a match made in heaven after Texas lost two receivers to the NFL. Bond’s ability to spread the field should mesh well with Quinn Ewers’ penchant for long throws.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound speedster caught nearly 50 balls in 2023 in an offense that began the year without an identity as it sifted through its starting quarterbacks. A former track star, Bond accelerates quickly and settles easily in man coverage. He’s best as a deep threat but has shown an awareness to settle into zone windows, making him an effective intermediate receiver.

4. Eugene Wilson – Florida

Next on our list of top returning receivers is generously listed at 5’10”. Eugene Wilson was not the prototypical, five-star receiver coming out of high school. Regardless of his stature, Wilson was a force as a freshman at Florida in 2023. Trey, as he is known to locals, is the definition of a quick-reacting athlete. He earned a starting spot in the second game of his career and led the team in touchdowns. Wilson didn’t just make fun of inferior opponents; he set a team freshman record with 11 catches against Georgia.

The Gator team was intentional and creative in getting Wilson the ball in open space, using Wilson as a weapon through standard routes, blocks and handoffs. His agility is a constant source of failure in the open field when defenses aren’t paying enough attention to him. Quarterback Graham Mertz and the Florida offense are under pressure to be more explosive this year, so expect Wilson to take on an even bigger role on offense.

3. Juice Wells – Ole Miss

That’s right – Ole Miss. Juice Wells burst onto the SEC scene in 2022 with over 900 receiving yards for South Carolina. The former James Madison Duke earned All-SEC honors that junior season. After an injury-shortened 2023 season, Wells transferred to help Ole Miss get a rich offering on the outside. He and Tre Harris (more on him later) could form the best receiver duo in the league.

Wells has a powerful frame at over 200 pounds and above-average speed that allows him to overwhelm defenders in a variety of ways. Whether it’s contested catches over the middle or simple running routes, Wells is a threat. His strong hands and competitive spirit help him make contested catches routine. Wells is also an explosive, physical runner after the catch, making him even more dangerous.

Because of the Rebels’ depth at the position, Wells likely won’t be able to replicate the numbers from his early days at South Carolina. However, he will face better opponents in more top games, which could elevate his status as a possible first-round pick in 2025. Keep in mind that 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette wasn’t the first-round pick at USC before Wells’ injury.

2. Tre Harris – Ole Miss

Tre Harris is another transfer portal success story for Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin reached into Louisiana Tech’s reserves to sign Harris in 2023, and he immediately performed well. The 6’2″ Harris nearly reached 1,000 receiving yards in 2023. His perfection was recognized, as he received a PFF grade of 88.6, making him the sixth-best receiver last year. Jaxson Dart is the star of the Rebel offense, but Harris is the focal point on the perimeter as a senior.

Consistency is key, and Harris has had 40 or more catches every season since his sophomore year. The former high school quarterback reads defenses and runs routes at an elite level to make up for his lack of game-winning speed. Burner or not, he’s elusive and shows more wiggles than you’d expect at his size. He’s strong coming off the line in press coverage and uses his catch radius well in traffic. Tre Harris could hold his own as the best returner-receiver in the SEC if he didn’t have a surefire first-round pick in Columbia, MO.

1. Luther Burden – Missouri

St. Louis native Luther Burden came to Missouri with much fanfare as a blue-chip prospect, but decided to stay home for college. Burden was the highest-rated receiver prospect to sign with the Tigers since Dorial Green-Beckham, so he couldn’t possibly live up to the expectations placed on him as a freshman, right? Wrong.

Burden caught 45 balls and rushed 18 times as a true freshman. There was no dip in his performance as a sophomore, when he caught over 1,200 yards in Missouri’s most successful offense since the days of Chase Daniel. The 2023 second-team All-American is 6’1″ and 205 pounds, which means he can score a touchdown while walking. Burden is currently the favorite to be the first receiver taken off the board in the 2025 draft.

Missouri uses the first-team All-SEC receiver in a variety of ways to capitalize on his explosive nature. Burden has the speed and body control to be a threat from the outside, but his quickness and suddenness in change of direction make him a problem in the slot. He’s fast but bigger than Eugene Wilson. Strong but faster than Juice Wells. He also returns punts and scores a touchdown in the third period of play. There’s nothing Luther Burden can’t do, and that makes him the best return receiver in the SEC.