Great things come to those who least expect it.
When the LSU football team began the 2014 season, much of the focus on offense was directed toward the Tigers’ running game because of the star power of No. 1 recruit, freshman Leonard Fournette, and seniors Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee.
On the other hand, the passing game was surrounded by unanswered questions because of the combined  lack of experience at receiver and quarterback, with the Tigers losing most of their key performers from last season to the NFL.
Replacing LSU’s departed talent were sophomore Travin Dural and freshmen Malachi Dupre and Trey Quinn.
In his debut season, Dural hauled in seven receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. But he was the leading receiver going into fall camp, which led to questions about his lack of experience at the position and how productive the Tigers’ young receiving corps could be in a ground-based offense.
Now, five games into the season, the focus has shifted from the running game to the surprising production of the Tigers’ young receivers.
The LSU wide receivers have exceeded their expectations so far this season. Dural is the centerpiece of the unit, using his speed to become an elite deep threat.
Dural has caught 21 passes for 534 yards and five touchdowns so far. He is tied for first in the Southeastern Conference with five touchdown receptions, and second in the league with his 534 yards receiving. Of his 28 career catches, 23 have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.
His hot start has helped catapult LSU to a 4-1 record, as he is the first LSU receiver to record three 100-yard receiving games in the first four games since Michael Clayton in 2003.
Dural said his success on the field is because he makes the most out of every reception and opportunity, and he never takes a catch for granted.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of every situation I’m put in and make a play on every ball that’s thrown my way and not take anything for granted,” Dural said. “I might get only one ball a game, so [I’m] just trying to make the most out of it, whether it’s trying to catch it and go 90 yards, or it might be a one-yard fade on the goal line. So just really taking advantage of every opportunity coach Cam [Cameron] has given me.” 
Dural’s fast start has begun to elevate his freshmen teammates. Dupre struggled early in the season to get on the field because of a lingering hamstring injury, but Dural took him under his wing and assured him to keep working hard.
“I preached to him that I had an injury my freshman year,” Dural said. “I told him to just focus on getting himself healthy because we are going to need [him]. I told him to not get too frustrated and take all the treatment he needed so that when the season comes, he’ll be ready.”
Since regaining his health, the No. 1 receiver out of John Curtis High School has done just that. 
Dupre became the first LSU true freshman receiver to go over 100 yards receiving in an SEC opener since Jerel Myers did it against Auburn in 1999.
Dupre caught four balls for 120 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. The two touchdowns were also the most by an LSU receiver in an SEC opener since 2000 when Josh Reed hauled in two scores against Auburn.
Dural said Dupre’s performance against the Bulldogs showcased what he has been doing in camp and practice. 
“He’s a guy who jumps real high and is long,” Dural said. “He showed it with two spectacular catches at the end of the [Mississippi State] game to bring us back.”
Dural, who also went over 100-yards receiving against the Bulldogs, paired with Dupre to give LSU its 13th duo of 100-yard receivers in a game, and its first since Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry did it against Georgia in 2013.
The Tigers have also sprinkled in contributors like Quinn and freshman receiver John Diarse who have stepped up when called on to add to LSU’s passing game.
“We just want to come in every week and be better than the day before,” Diarse said. “One of the things we harped on over the summer and before camp is to really make plays this year and really fill those shoes [of Odell and Jarvis] and do everything we can each and every week to help this offense get better. Our fans expect what they see. When you give them a high level performance they expect to see it each and every game, so we kind of took that to heart and personally and challenged each other to come out and get better every day.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.