Who's Your Starter: Wide Receiver #1

QB: Austen Arnaud (So.)
RB: Alexander Robinson (So.)
TE: Derrick Catlett (Jr.)

As I put off the inevitable confusion that will arise when I get to the offensive line as part of this little exercise in online democracy, I figured we'd move on to wide receiver. I'll be running three polls for the starting wide receiver spots, so don't worry if your favorite new recruit isn't part of this poll. For the #1 receiver spot, there's really only two guys in the running. Yes, I know they may not lead the team in catches in 2008 - Todd Blythe didn't last year, but I'm pretty sure he was still our number one. I'm only going to focus on two guys here, and the next two polls will open up and involve the new recruits and some guys further down the depth charts. The old starting lineups last year had both a TE and a FB, but I don't think a 3-receiver set will be that rare this fall, so I'm going to go with that.

2007 Stats
Hamilton: 45 catches, 534 yards, 11.9 average, 46 long, 0 TD, 44.5 ypg
Sumrall: 54 catches, 434 yards, 8.0 average, 25 long, 0 TD, 36.2 ypg

The number one spot is expected to be a competition between junior Marquis Hamilton and senior RJ Sumrall. Sumrall quickly became a fan favorite during his freshman campaign and looked destined to be the number one guy during his senior season. However, for some reason still unknown to me, at least, he lost starts and playing time late in the year. Still, Sumrall has some of the best hands on the team. Kind of like a quicker Austin Flynn. He's not so much as big play receiver as he is clutch. He was a favorite target on third down last year.

Hamilton came on strong last year and ultimately ended up second in receiving yards as he received more and more playing time as the year went on. He's got the size and ability to take control of a one-on-one matchup in the end zone. More than that, he's got agility on the field. Early against Kansas in last year's season finale, he made  all-american cornerback and pot-smoking enthusiast Aqib Talib look straight up silly on a triple juke for a 46 yard gain, his longest catch of the year.

So, who's your pick - the steady and reliable RJ Sumrall - or the quickly rising Marquis Hamilton?