Pro Football Focus says LSU Tigers have top returning WR in 2020

The LSU Tigers will likely lose wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the NFL Draft after the 2019 season, but they’ll still have one of the best wide receivers in the nation on their roster.

The LSU Tigers wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase was arguably the best in the nation in 2019.

Jefferson led the Tigers in receptions, catching an impressive 102 passes for 1,434 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Chase was the chunk yardage guy, reeling in 75 passes for 1,559 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Unfortunately for LSU, Jefferson, a junior, is likely heading to the NFL. He’d be foolish not to at this point.

Chase, however, will be back in 2020. And Pro Football Focus thinks he’s the top returning wide receiver in the nation.

Here’s what they had to say about the former four-star recruit from Metairie, LA:

"Ja’Marr Chase’s true sophomore season could not have gone much better. His 90.6 overall grade is the fifth-best at his position, and his PFF WAA was among the 30 best in college football, regardless of position. Chase’s biggest strength is his ability to go toe-to-toe against press coverage, either torching his coverage defender off the line or winning in a contested situation downfield."

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Joe Burrow’s impact on Chase’s numbers in 2019. Burrow and Chase certainly helped each other attain some ridiculous stats this season.

Without Burrow in 2020, it’s possible that Chase doesn’t reach the same statistical heights he reached in 2019.

But then again, if passing game coordinator Joe Brady sticks around for another season and is able to turn Myles Brennan into an All-SEC caliber quarterback, then maybe Chase can match, or even surpass, his numbers from 2019.

There’s no doubt he has the talent.

Either way, it has to be a reassuring feeling for LSU fans to know that one of the top playmakers in the country will be back for another season in Baton Rouge.