The best quarterback/wide receiver tandems in college football

The sport of football is constantly evolving. As things change, however, one progression that has remained consistent throughout the game’s history is the development of the passing game. In a sport with origins in running, advanced analytics continue to show the ever-increasing value of an efficient passing game. Of course, key to this evolution are the players who make it all work. As 2019 comes to a close, let’s take inventory of the five quarterback/wide receiver tandems that were most feared by defenses this season.

QB Joe Burrow/WR Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)

Joe Burrow had the most efficient passing season in college football history and is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, but much of his success came with the help of his No.1 receiver, Ja’Marr Chase (70 receptions, 1,457 yards, 17 touchdowns).

Chase benefited from single coverage often, because of the other talent on LSU’s roster, but he certainly took advantage of his opportunities. Chase leads the nation in touchdown receptions, and many of those came in the season’s biggest moments.

QB Sam Ehlinger/WR Devin Duvernay (Texas)

Devin Duvernay (103 receptions, 1,294 yards, eight touchdowns) leads the nation in receptions. His quarterback, Sam Ehlinger, was the motor that drove a 2019 Texas offense, which was diminished by injuries and ineffectiveness in the backfield. Duvernay is an elite athlete who kept the Texas offense among the top 20 in the nation in points scored per game by making catches all over the field.

QB Tanner Morgan/WR Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)

While the Minnesota dream season ended on a snowy afternoon at home to Wisconsin, Minnesota fans and bettors will not soon forget the explosive plays made by quarterback Tanner Morgan and his big-play weapon on the outside, Rashod Bateman.

Morgan is fifth in the nation at 10.3 yards per attempt and sixth in pass efficiency rating. Batemen is ninth in the country in total yards and has an exceptional 20.5 yards per reception. And fortunately for Minnesota fans, both players are just sophomores, so don’t be surprised to see these two continue to excel moving forward.

QB Shane Buechele/WR James Proche (SMU)

SMU has not been good at football for a long time, but thanks to a high-octane offense and Texas transfer Shane Buechele, the Mustangs experienced a revival this year and earned 10 wins for the first time since 1984. Buechele threw for 33 touchdowns and his No. 1 target, James Proche (102 receptions, 1,139 yards, 14 touchdowns), is only one reception behind Duvernay for most catches in the country.

These stars of the program were prolific through the air, and Proche even made it up to 23rd on the all-time receptions list in college football history.

QB Jalen Hurts/WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)

Hurts was the second or third choice for the Heisman for a large portion of the year and Lamb even got some attention thanks to his electrifying play. Hurts and Lamb were the two dynamic players on the sixth-ranked offense in terms of points per game and second-ranked offense in terms of yards per game.

Lamb played second fiddle to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown at Oklahoma in 2018, while Hurts was the backup at Alabama, but in 2019 both players were given the opportunity to step up and be the No. 1 option, and they proved their merit. Lamb is certain to be a high draft pick thanks to his game-changing playmaking ability.