Texas A&M transfer wide receiver Mario Craver has been one of the top players in college football after transferring to College Station this offseason after one year at Mississippi State, and through seven games, all wins, Craver has hauled in 36 receptions, 674 yards, and four touchdowns, and is currently averaging 19.1 yards per reception.
Becoming a favorite target for starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who is also on his way to a career year with 1,770 yards and 15 tochdowns through the air, Craver is one his way to cracking the century mark in receiving yards with five games left in the regular season, and in comparison to a former Heisman Trophy winner, the Alabama native should remain in the conversation for the prestigious award.
Current Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy last season during his final year at Colorado, ended his final collegiate season with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, coupled with 36 tackles and four interceptions on defense. While Craver obviously does not play both ways, he has already outpaced Hunter through seven games.
Thanks to the X profile “SEC Numbers Guy” for providing the data. Craver’s 714 total yards, when combining his rushing stats, put him 110 total yards ahead of where Hunter was through seven games during his 2023 Heisman season. Craver is also averaging five more yards per catch and is considered a more proficient route runner due to his elite quickness and NFL-level speed.
Due to his high level of play, Craver recorded only four receptions for 40 yards during Saturday’s 45-42 win over Arkansas. He is consistently being bracketed, which will likely continue against LSU this weekend. However, combined with KC Concepcion, Terry Bussey, and Ashton Bethel-Roman, Marcel Reed has an excess of options that place added pressure on every secondary the Aggies have, and will face.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M star WR has statistically outpaced 2024 Heisman winner
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
