This position underperformed in 2019, and while you can argue that was in part because of QB play there's also the scary thought that two top receivers are gone in Jeff Thomas and KJ Osborn. Did we see some potential here through the four spring practices? Yes. But we still see this position as a major question mark since Harley's the returning leader with 485 yards under his belt from last year. We wouldn't be surprised to see Harley, Pope and Wiggins begin the season as starters, but we already have an idea what they can do and at least so far it doesn't seem they are world beaters (Wiggins may have the most potential of the trio with his combination of size and speed).

Will the new offense help them?

Sure, given the expectation there will be a lot more reps on offense with the hurry-up spread attack, but unless they get more separation from defenders than they did in 2019 QB D'Eriq King will need to pick up a lot of yards with his legs.

Of the freshmen group we really liked what we saw from Smith, who looks smooth. He runs excellent routes and has great hands but needs to bulk up quite a bit this summer. He could be a surprise in the fall. And Restrepo also impressed. He's put on some weight already and hasn't lost any of his quickness. He could be a very tough cover out of the slot. Worsham hasn't stood out yet, and Redding missed spring with injury but should be fine whenever drills resume.

Here's a closer look at the talent:

MIKE HARLEY, SR

Harley will be relied upon as a veteran in the room and should get every chance to make a major impact. However, to this point he’s had starts and stops without a lot of consistency. A brief look at his Cane history: As a freshman he made five starts and had nine catches; in 2018 he started four games and had 21 catches for 240 yards; then this past season he started four games and had 38 catches for 485 yards. It’s a bit mystifying why he can’t get open more regularly, and he’s had some issues holding onto the ball. If he can put it all together he can be a playmaker, but he’s got to figure out what’s keeping him from game in and game out being a threat and address that.

JEREMIAH PAYTON, RFR

Payton played in four games last season, redshirting, and had one catch. In practices he had some standout moments, and he’s got a ton of upside. With Osborn and Thomas gone he’ll get every chance to show he deserves to start. We would not be surprised if he is one of the main threats this season. But he has to really work hard on figuring out Rhett Lashlee’s offense and get on the same page with King this spring. While we think it’s going to be hard to keep Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins off the field, we wouldn’t be surprised if he can push for playing time.

MARK POPE, JR

We still can’t wrap our head around the fact that his former 5-star is now a junior and just has never really made much of an impact. He had some bright “aha” moments last season, but injury and inconsistency in his own play and the QB play cost him any chance to build momentum on that. Pope, who had contemplated transferring two years ago when he was mired down the depth chart as a freshman, finished 2019 with 18 catches for 266 yards and two TDs. He’s a long ball threat that seems a perfect fit in Lashlee’s spread offense. We see Pope starting and doing big things this season … if he can grasp the nuances of the position. That’s what really has held him back - he needs to perfect his technique and run good routes.

MICHAEL REDDING III, FR

Redding was one of four true freshmen signees that enrolled early, and of the four he’s probably the best suited for an immediate role just given his frame (6-1, 191 pounds) combined with his excellent range and speed. But he was held back by missing spring with a wrist injury. This fall he'll have to quickly show why he has to be on the field in Lashlee's spread attack.

XAVIER RESTREPO, FR

Restrepo enjoyed a standout spring, showing coaches he deserves immediate playing time, and he's also worked his way into the mix as a returner. A quick, speedy receiver, he fits well in the slot or outside, and you want the ball in this guy’s hands - he can flat out make people miss. Restrepo has earned praise as a guy who picks things up quickly, and he'll push Harley for the starting job ... and should get reps regardless.

KEYSHAWN SMITH, FR

Smith was a surprise addition to the class, committing to coaches the day before he enrolled (he previously was a Washington State signee but got out of that after the coaching change). Those that know Smith best say he was one of the best kept secrets in California, so his three-star ranking might belie his actual ability. Like the other four freshmen, given the depth chart issues at receiver there’s a chance to play early, and he looked the part in the spring as a rangy wideout who runs good routes and has good hands.

DEE WIGGINS, JR

Wiggins was once compared to, no joke, Jerry Rice by former Cane WR coach Ron Dugans. Let’s not get too crazy, but certainly when he’s “on” Wiggins is as good a receiver as you’d want in college football. He’s got size, speed, good hands and leaping ability. The big issue for him is a guy who can get him the ball in space. With King on board, maybe that’s the missing ingredient that can make Wiggins a star. So far he’s been up-and-down - as a freshman he started three games and had seven catches for 73 yards, and last season he started five games and had 20 catches for 335 yards and four TDs. But a couple of those catches were eye-opening: A 67-yard touchdown reception vs. Louisville and a 56-yard touchdown reception at Florida State. He’s got all the ability in the world and we see a big season ahead for Wiggins in Lashlee's spread hurry-up.

DAZALIN WORSHAM, FR

Worsham is a former Alabama commitment, which shows the level of his play when he’s at his best. But he’s had some injury issues and there are some concerns about his straight ahead speed … and he did not stand out this spring. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds he needs to continue adding size and strength while finding a way to get quicker.

As you can see from the above, there's a lot of potential at this position. But who will emerge as the guy or guys that get this offense going?

If there's going to be a "main" guy here, it's likely to be Wiggins just given his talent level. But maybe Payton or one of the freshmen shows they are ready to lead the charge right away - that's a talented young group.

There are a lot of question marks here.

Can Jeremiah Payton live up to his potential in Year 2 as a Cane?

Can one or two of the true freshmen receivers explode onto the scene?

Will the group mesh well with King given all the time away from campus?

If Rhett Lashlee’s offense is going to come out swinging, this group has to do its job and make plays down the field.