Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Don't Edit

Syracuse, N.Y. -- With Syracuse football set to open preseason camp on Friday, it's time to take a detailed look at the 2019 roster.

We'll be combing through a position group each morning stretching into next week. After examining the quarterbacks on Tuesday and running backs on Wednesday, let's break down the wide receivers and tight ends.

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Who returns at WR?

Sean Riley

5-8, 170, Sr.

A three-year contributor who has grown into one of the leaders of the offense, Riley provides consistency and quickness from the slot. He led the Orange with 64 receptions last fall and finished the year with 756 yards and three touchdowns. Riley is also one of the nation's most productive return men.

Don't Edit

Nykeim Johnson

Jr., 5-8, 172

Another upperclassman with experience playing inside, Johnson is a proven deep threat. Three of his four touchdown receptions last season came on plays of at least 40 yards. He finished his sophomore year with 41 catches for 565 yards.

Johnson may be limited during preseason camp as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on a lower-body injury.

Don't Edit

Taj Harris

So., 6-2, 175

Harris caught the attention of coaches and players alike early in his first season. The New Jersey native is perhaps the most talented wideout on SU's roster and his playmaking behind the scenes garnered praise from Eric Dungey before the freshman even cracked the starting lineup. He went on to catch 40 passes for 565 yards and three scores in 2018.

It will be interesting to see how Harris performs with a brighter spotlight in 2019. Defenses know who he is now and may be a little more aggressive with the 175-pound receiver at the line of scrimmage.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Trishton Jackson

rJr., 6-1, 191

A former four-star prospect who transferred in from Michigan State a year ago, Jackson is finally eligible and ready to contribute. He caught a touchdown in his Orange debut at the Camping World Bowl, providing a glimpse of what could be to come in 2019 and 2020.

Jackson brings athleticism and versatility, comfortable lining up inside or outside. He has one of the largest catch radii among SU's receivers and has developed a close bond with quarterback Tommy DeVito.

Don't Edit

Sharod Johnson

rSo., 5-11, 179

Speaking of long-armed wideouts, Johnson is also capable of hauling in a slightly errant pass. The Miami native started his first career game at Boston College last fall and hauled in three passes for 61 yards -- accounting for the majority of his season-long production.

Johnson has earned the respect of his teammates in practice and summer workouts. At this point, it's about proving to the coaching staff that he's ready for a larger role.

Don't Edit

Cameron Jordan

rSo., 6-3, 216

Another third-year wideout, Jordan brings size on the outside. He hopes to add physicality to his repertoire as well, having spent the spring working on his hands and aggression at the line of scrimmage.

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Anthony Queeley

rFr., 6-2, 197

Another versatile pass-catcher, Queeley was on the edge of seeing playing time throughout his first collegiate season. He never moved down to scout team, picking up valuable reps with the SU backups.

This spring, Queeley provided one of the top highlights, elevating in the end zone to catch a touchdown over John Sweetwood.

Don't Edit

Ed Hendrix

rFr., 6-3, 208

One of the most promising members of SU's 2018 recruiting class, Hendrix's first year on campus has been plagued by lower-body injuries. He is not expected to participate in preseason camp as he continues his latest rehabilitation process.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Cooper Lutz

rFr., 6-0, 205

A high school running back turned slot receiver, Lutz redshirted last year. He caught three passes for 37 yards in SU's spring game.

Don't Edit

Russell Thompson-Bishop

rSo., 6-1, 223

A third-year receiver who has yet to see game action, Thompson-Bishop has spent time practicing on the inside and outside.

The Orange also returns three walk-on receivers in redshirt freshmen James Cherry, Kevin Johnson Jr. and Ethan Fischler.

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Who returns at TE?

Chris Elmore

Jr., 6-0, 295

One of the most important components in SU's running game, "Rhino" will likely be limited to start fall camp. He suffered a lower-body injury during the spring that required surgery.

However, Elmore is expected to be ready for the start of the season and will return to his role as a near-300-pound lead blocker with surprisingly good hands.

Don't Edit

Aaron Hackett

Jr., 6-3, 234

The other half of the Orange's tight end yin-yang combination, Hackett appears to be in his best shape yet. He brings versatility and enough quickness to excel in the Orange's read-option game.

Someone is going to have to catch Ravian Pierce's signature 1-yard touchdowns in the red zone, and Hackett is a good bet.

Syracuse also returns one walk-on tight end in redshirt junior Jesse Conners.

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Who joins?

Courtney Jackson

Fr., 5-10, 171

A spring ball standout, Jackson is one of the most game-ready freshmen on the SU roster. He earned first-team opportunities and excelled during the spring game, catching three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.

That said, Jackson will likely have to push off an experienced slot man to get regular run this fall -- barring injury. But even if that's the case, it's clear he has a bright future in Central New York.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Luke Benson

Fr., 6-3, 210

A catch-first tight end known for his speed, Benson could create matchup problems for opposing defenses. He caught 23 passes for 404 yards and six touchdowns during his career at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, Pa.

In the short term, Benson brings depth to a position that certainly could use another body.

Walk-on wideout Nate Wellington, a freshman, has also joined the program.

Don't Edit

Who departs?

Jamal Custis

One of the most surprising individual storylines of last season was Jamal Custis seizing the No. 1 outside receiver spot. After four years without significant on-field production, the Philadelphia native racked up 51 receptions for team highs of 906 yards and six touchdowns.

Custis also stepped up as the team's top gunner after volunteering to contribute on special teams. He was signed this summer by the Kansas City Chiefs as a priority undrafted free agent.

Don't Edit

Ravian Pierce

Another starter who exhausted his eligibility, Pierce caught 16 passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. His athleticism was a legitimate weapon for the Orange, though he missed time due to injury last fall and penalties throughout his career set back the offense at times.

Don't Edit

Devin Butler

Once expected to be the No. 1 receiver last year, Butler ultimately lost his starting spot to Taj Harris and wound up playing cornerback by the end of the year. He transferred out in the offseason and has yet to pop up at another school.

Don't Edit

Gabe Horan

The freshman tight end from Baldwinsville was medically disqualified due to concussions in December. His mother, Angela, said previously that the family was "blindsided" by the decision.

Walk-on receivers Andrew Licciardi, K.K. Hahn and Ben Brickman are also no longer with the program.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Storyline No. 1: Who makes the rotation?

Let's dodge the 'Who is going to be No. 1' question this year. Because, while there may well be a clear-cut top target, this group has depth and balance.

The inside receivers in Riley and Nykeim Johnson are probably the most polished pass-catchers that SU returns. It appears that Harris and Trishton Jackson are most likely to seize the outside spots, though as listed above, there are plenty of other options.

As camp gets going, it will be interesting to see how many of these players receive regular first- and second-team opportunities. The good news for the Orange is that DeVito spent the offseason working regularly with the entire group. A rapport should already be in place. Now it's just a matter of finding the best combination of players.

Don't Edit

Storyline No. 2: Will tight end usage change?

One of the more vague big-picture questions surrounding this team is how the offense will look and operate differently with DeVito in for Dungey. Will tendencies shift more toward the passing game? Will we see more check-downs installed to counter with pressure that will likely be coming (this, almost certainly, is a 'Yes.')?

And how about the tight ends? With a pocket passer in place, does the route tree open up for Hackett? Or, on the flip side, will we see more six- and seven-man protections in order to let downfield concepts develop?

I have few answers here. But it's a smaller storyline that's worth monitoring, especially considering the specific skill sets that SU's tight ends feature.

Don't Edit

Orange Weekly: Preseason camp preview

Don't Edit

More Orange football coverage

Syracuse football fan fest 2019 date set for Sept. 28

Is ACC Network on Spectrum? 3 weeks to find out

Syracuse football recruiting: Chase Atkinson commits to 2020 class

How does Abdul Adams fit into jam-packed Syracuse football backfield? (RBs preview)

Syracuse football recruiting: 4-star WR Bryce Gowdy commits to Georgia Tech