Oregon State's Brandin Cooks quietly leads the nation's receivers

Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) gives a thumbs up to Oregon State fans from the sidelines during the final seconds against California in a NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013. Oregon State won 49-17.(AP Photo/Tony Avelar) (The Associated Press)

Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) catches a pass over California defensive back Damariay Drew (27) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) (The Associated Press)

Brandin Cooks is the nation's leading receiver that no one seems to know about outside the Pac-12 — although that's quickly changing.

The Oregon State junior ranks ahead of all FBS-level receivers with nearly 11 catches and 168 yards receiving per game. He ranks second in scoring with 12 points a game, and fifth for all-purpose yards with an average of 184 a game.

He is considered a front-runner for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, and he's even getting some Heisman whispers.

Cooks is the favorite target of Sean Mannion, who himself is the national leader for both passing yards and total offense.

Coach Mike Riley calls Cooks talented, driven and savvy and says his success this season is the product of hard work as well as great chemistry with Mannion.