Some trends for the 2006 crop of All-Fantasy wideouts – lots of youth, and more of the small and quick types than the Terrel Owens-like physical specimens we suspected in the beginning of the year. Continuing our homage to the big-talking (some of them) and big-playing (all of them) targets of vertical attack, I give you the Fantasy College Blitz 2006 All-American Wide Receivers.

First Team

Jarrett Dillard, Soph, Rice – 82 rec, 1176 yds, 20 TD 237 Fantasy Points (FP)

I know, a Rice Wide Receiver? “My eyes! These goggles, they don’t work!” It is true as Dillard was the only unanimous selection on all three ballots. Dillard’s huge games were not just limited to beating up on Conference USA, he torched Florida State for the only Rice TD in their 55-7 loss. Dillard also never let his owners down by scoring a TD in every game.

Chris Williams, Soph, New Mexico State – 92 rec, 1425 yds, 12 TD – 207 FP

The Air Raid offense of the Aggies’ Head Coach Hal Mumme finally took shape in 2006, and converted running back Williams led the nation in yards per game, receptions and was sixth in TDs.

With QB Holbrook at the controls again in 2007 (assuming his arm doesn’t fall off), it is a safe bet that Williams will continue to be at the top of the heap at his position.

Second Team

We give the edge to Williams for the first team only due to his week-to-week consistency. Case in point – Higgins dropped a one-point effort at New Mexico, but followed that with a monster 40-point game at home against NM State. Higgins will get a shot in the NFL next year, maybe even a second-day pick.

Davone Bess, Soph, Hawai’i – 91 rec, 1155 yards, 14 TD – 185 FP
The yardage numbers hurt the overall performance, but being the top option in the nation’s most prolific offense mean Bess owners were not disappointed with an early pick here. Bess had 100 yards or a TD in eleven of 13 games.

Third Team

Robert Meachem, Junior, Tennessee – 67 rec, 1265 yds, 11 TD – 192 FP
The inconsistency was the only reason Meachem hits the third team. Benefitting greatly from the improvement in Erik Ainge under offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, Meachem fianlly had production and health to go with all the promise of his recruiting clippings. Kind of a donut year, as he was strong early and late in the season. Only 6 of his twelve games eclipsed 100 yards.

Rhema McKnight, Senior, Notre Dame – 64 rec, 885 yds, 15 TD – 178 FP
As Drew Smith stated on is ballot, “only one single digit game from a WR is huge!” McKnight was 29th in the NCAA in yards per game, but the 15 TD was second in the nation. His only bad game was against UCLA, otherwise rock solid consistency gives him the edge over many bigger names like Calvin Johnson and Joel Filani.