Previously, we looked at the top quarterbacks in Kentucky Wildcats history. Now, we will take a look and try to rank the top five wide receivers in program history. There have been a plethora of talented wideouts to wear the blue and white, making this exercise extremely difficult. Multiple receivers had tremendous moments over their Kentucky football careers, but before we get to the top five we will start with the honorable mentions.
Dane Key is from Lexington and that holds a special weight to a lot of the Big Blue Nation, despite underwhelming team success that he endured during his time as a Wildcat. Key actually had an exceptional three-year run in blue, as he ranks fifth all time in career receiving yards with 1,870. That may come as a surprise to some, and he is also tied eighth with 14 career receiving touchdowns. This makes you wonder where he would be on this list if he had stayed for his final season.
Dicky Lyons was on the unforgettable 2007 team and displayed unbelievable toughness throughout his career. A reliable target, Lyons 141 career catches ranks seventh all time for the Wildcats. He is also right behind Key with 1,752 career receiving yards. It makes it more impressive that he did this on a team that featured Keenan Burton, Stevie Johnson and Jacob Tamme.
Wan’Dale Robinson returned to the bluegrass state and left his mark in a big way in his sole season with the Wildcats. Robinson arguably had the greatest season we have ever seen from a Kentucky wideout. His 104 receptions and 1,334 receiving yards are the record for single season statistics. It almost feels as a disservice to not rank him inside the top five, but there are just too many options.
I would venture to say that Garrett Johnson is the most underrated wideout, maybe even player, in Kentucky football history. Johnson was key in building the program up in the early days of the Mark Stoops era. Johnson had 155 career receptions and 2,089 career receiving yards, which rank fifth and fourth all time. Johnson was a phenomenal deep threat that made plenty of big time catches over his career.
This could be a bit controversial, as some players in the honorable mentions had better overall careers and even Wan’Dale Robinson had a better single season for the Wildcats. However, Stevie Johnson had a magical season in his own right in 2007 that ranks third all time in receiving yards and touchdowns. In my opinion, a lot of this is about moments, and when “Stevie got loose” to beat the Louisville Cardinals and his game-winning touchdown in triple overtime against the top ranked LSU Tigers are two memories that will stand the test of time. Johnson was an exceptional route runner and always stepped up when the lights were the brightest.
Randall Cobb is easily a fan favorite for the Big Blue Nation, an East Tennessee native that decided to take his talents to the bluegrass. Cobb did it all for the Wildcats, from playing quarterback to returning punts and kicks as well as playing wideout. Cobb is one of six players to have over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season (2010) and he had 144 catches and 37 total touchdowns in his three-year career. Cobb was the sole focus for opposing defenses on the teams he played for, but it did not matter as he racked up 4,674 all-purpose yards which ranks fourth all time.
Derrick Abney was a bit of the Cobb mold, as he was simply electric with the football in his hands. Abney is the record holder for all-purpose yards with 5,856 all time. He also ranks second with 197 career receptions. Abney was a threat to score or make an explosive gain any time he touched the ball.
Keenan Burton was a stalwart for those Rich Brooks led teams in the mid 2000s. Burton was incredibly consistent over his career at Kentucky. His accolades speak for themselves, as Burton ranks second all time in career receiving yards (2,376) and touchdown catches (25). His 189 career receptions ranks fourth all time.
Craig Yeast was Tim Couch’s go-to guy in the air raid offense, and for that reason he dominates career statistics. Yeast is the triple crown leader in receptions (208), receiving yards (2,899) and touchdown catches (28). He also holds the record for single season touchdown catches with 14 from his 1998 season. Couch and Yeast formed a dynamic duo, which is why they are widely-considered the best quarterback and wide receiver in Kentucky football history.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football flashback: Top five wide receivers of all time
