The 2015 LSU receiving corps is characterized by continuity.
The Tigers’ top four wide receivers from the 2014 campaign are back in the purple and gold, along with three highly-touted freshmen.
Now that the returners have had an extra year to mesh with the Tigers’ quarterbacks, sophomore wide receiver Malachi Dupre expects the group’s combined yardage of 1,544 in 2014 to pale in comparison to the numbers it will put up this season.
In fact, Dupre said LSU is poised for a season with 2013-level production from the receivers, during which Tiger receivers amassed 2,630 yards with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry at the helm.
“We have so much talent at the receiving position — numbers like that can be put up,” Dupre said. “Having a guy like [position coach Tony Ball] working with us every day, he’s a tough dude, but it’s making us a lot better. I know from a personal standpoint that he’s made me tremendously better.”
Junior wide receiver Travin Dural said the Tigers’ best chance to gash the opposing defense in the passing game is for the quarterback to locate the best matchup or mismatch.
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the one-on-one coverage that will be a result of having Heisman candidate and sophomore running back Leonard Fournette in the backfield.
Dural was junior quarterback Anthony Jennings’ favorite target last season as he led the team in every major receiving category with 37 catches for 758 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught more than twice as many balls and had more than double the yards as the next closest receiver, but Dural and Dupre expect the ball to be more spread out this season.
“We have a lot of big play makers in our receiving group,” Dupre said. “Moving forward to the season, you can expect a lot of plays to be made by various amount of guys in the group.”
Dupre, who hauled in the second-most receiving touchdowns last season with five, said it’s a five-man race for the most play time, headlined by himself and Dural. Sophomore wide receiver Trey Quinn, who caught 17 passes during his freshman season, and sophomore wide receiver John Diarse pose the biggest threat to take over the primary slot-receiver duties.
But sophomore wide receiver DJ Chark received rave reviews throughout spring and fall camps and is expected to see plenty of time on the outside with Dupre moving into the slot in certain formations.
“Every single one of these guys is special,” said sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris. “The guys have really bought in to what we want to do around here.”
LSU coach Les Miles has yet to name the starting quarterback, and Dural insists the wide receiving corps will flourish regardless of who is behind center.
Dupre said the quarterbacks’ progression since the spring is evident, and he can’t wait for both Harris and Jennings to show off their talents when the season starts.
“We try to get a feel for both of the quarterbacks,” Dural said. “No matter who’s in the game, it doesn’t really matter. We’re taught that the ball is going to come here regardless of who is throwing it. The only thing that might change is how fast it comes.”
Of the Tigers’ three additions, freshmen wide receivers Jazz Ferguson and Tyron Johnson have made the most noise during fall camp. The 6-foot-5-inch Ferguson caught a touchdown pass during the first fall scrimmage, while Miles said Johnson played well but his lack of experience was pronounced.
“They’ve been learning and taking strides in fall camp,” Dural said. “I can tell those guys are fast learners, and they’ve been doing nothing but good things for us. They just have to keep learning.”