The Six Best NFL-Caliber Players the Gators will Face in 2015

Oct 18, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (23) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Mississippi Rebels defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

WR Laquon Treadwell, Junior- Ole Miss

Laquon Treadwell is the ultimate athlete at the wide receiver position in the SEC.

A former 5-star recruit out of Crete, Illinois, watching Treadwell on Saturdays is eerily similar to watching the slightly bigger Dez Bryant play for the Dallas Cowboys.

As a true freshman, Treadwell hauled in 72 catches with 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was well on his way to eclipsing those numbers before a devastating leg injury against Auburn stopped that cold.

If Treadwell returns at full strength, then the premier WR-CB battle will be Vernon Hargreaves III against Treadwell.

It’s hard not to get goose bumps thinking about that Oct. 3 game.

Strengths

• Treadwell has the rare qualities that make up star receivers: He’s big, he’s strong and he’s fast. That’s a recipe for a defensive mismatch all game long.
• He attacks the football like a defensive back does, ensuring that only he is able to make a play on it.
• Can out-jump even the best athletes, making jump balls in the endzone a nightmare for opposing defenses.
• His body control is ridiculous; He’s always in control and never plays the game faster than his body allows.

Weaknesses

• The broken leg injury he suffered has left huge question marks. Can he return to the dominant form he displayed early last year?
• Can be slowed down somewhat by bump-and-run coverage.
• Run block form needs help but it gets the job done for now.

Next: DT Robert Nkemdiche