In the WAC’s weekly air show, any wide receiver is capable of a big day. Here are five to target as you’re shopping for the best 2009 WAC fantasy football wide receivers.

Austin Pettis during the Poinsettia Bowl against TCU (thanks Icon SMI)

1. Austin Pettis, Boise State
Boise State scores a lot. Kellen Moore passes a lot. Ipso facto, Pettis is in store for some big numbers. He won’t get the yards afte the catch like teammate Titus Young, but he will get the end zone jump balls and red zone looks that he has become known for. He’s taking over the No. 1 wide receiver spot from Jeremy Childs, and while he doesn’t have Childs’ immaculate route running just yet (it’s exceptional, not immaculate), he makes up for it in size and hops. Expect 10+TDs and 1,000+ yards.

2. Seyi Ajirotutu, Fresno State.
Fresno has been snakebitten with injuries at wide receiver the past couple years, so say your prayers when drafting Ajirotutu. And if God likes you, then you should be in good shape. A preseason all-WAC fave, Ajirotutu put in hard time last year learning on the fly in Fresno’s “Help Wanted” wide receiver corps. His numbers (795 yards, 5 TDs) could balloon this year as the Bulldogs’ best receiving option. The only question is who will be throwing it? If it’s Derek Carr or Ryan Colburn, breathe a sigh of relief. Both pocket passers should look his way. If it’s Ebahn Feathers, you may want to think twice as Feathers is more a tuck-and-run QB and less a passing one. Ajirotutu carries a lot of questions. Buyer beware.

3. Phillip Livas, Louisiana Tech
A shifty big-play threat, Livas benefits fantasy owners by stockpiling points in two ways; he’s one of the conference’s best punt returners and one of its scariest wide receivers. The punt returning is a sure thing. Livas should be good for a couple spectacular returns this fall. The wide receiver part is a little less of a certainty if only because he has the very comparable Ross Jenkins winging it from the pocket. Jenkins gained valuable experience last year and could be much improved this fall. If he is, then Livas will enjoy a good season returning and receiving.

Chris Wellington catches this pass for a 70 yd TD against UNLV (thanks Icon SMI)

4. Chris Wellington, Nevada
Though nothing particularly glowing will be written about Wellington thanks to the ink reserved for QB Colin Kaepernick and RB Vai Taua, the Nevada wide receiver has the element of surprise going for him – and the scrambling ability of Kaepernick. Someone’s going to be on the end of Kaepernick’s daring pocket escapes, and more often than not, it could be Wellington. His six TDs last year included a 70-yarder versus UNLV. Throw in some regular receiving yards and TDs, and he’ll be solid pick-up.

5. Kevin Jurovich, San Jose State: “Out with mono” was Jurivoch’s story in 2008. The walking penumonia cost him all of last year but the senior put in enough work in his first few years in Sparta to lay claim to being one of the WAC’s best wide receivers. By talent, this may be true. By statistics, it’s hard to tell. Jurovich’s big 2007 (85 catches, over 1000 yards) was thanks to QB Adam Tafralis who is now long gone. This year’s crop of QBs is decidedly less quarterbacky, meaning Jurovich’s numbers might suffer. Still, the talent is there for something good, and if there’s a way, Jurovich will find it.

Also: Titus Young, Boise State: Fresh off a suspension, the speedster can resume his penchant for scoring and stretching defenses. Greg Salas/Malcolm Lane, Hawaii: Chances are one of the Hawaii wideouts will have a solid ’09. Just no telling which one.

Not: Any New Mexico State receiver: Who’s going to throw? Who’s going to protect long enough to throw? Who’s going to care to stick around and find out?

Related posts:

1. Quick Hit – Top 21 College Football Wide Receivers for 2009
2. WAC Preview: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
3. WAC 2010 PREVIEW
4. WAC Preview: Boise State Broncos
5. Catching Up with the Big 12 Wide Receivers

Tags: WAC