Position breakdown: wide receivers

Gamecock Central is breaking down each position on the football field heading into the 2017 season, with a new position each Monday. This week’s position is wide receiver.

Each week we’ll break down each position, discussing the player to watch and a newcomer who could make an impact this season.

The skinny: The wide receiver corps returns a horde of talent, bringing back the team’s top six receiving leaders from last season. They have one of the more dynamic receivers in the SEC with Deebo Samuel, who led the team with 783 yards catching en route to 1,320 all-purpose yards.

No. 2 wide out Bryan Edwards also comes back after a freshman year where he caught for 590 yards and four touchdowns. The Gamecocks also have 14 players on its roster that caught at least one pass last season and six that caught a touchdown.

Every starter from the group returns, and the Gamecocks bring in two wide receivers in the 2017 class. If they stay healthy, quarterback Jake Bentley will have weapons to throw to around the field.

Also: Live updates from South Carolina's Monday practice

Player to watch: Bryan Edwards

Edwards had a breakout freshman season with almost 600 yards receiving while finishing tied for the team lead with four passing touchdowns.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he compliments entrenched starter Deebo Samuel (6-foot, 215 pounds) well with his size Samuel’s speed. As a sophomore, he’s another year into offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s system and will be the second starter aside Samuel.

After battling through a nagging injury to start the year, if he stays healthy through the season he could have a big year.

Also see: Insider notes on four-star WR Josh Vann

Newcomers to watch: Shi Smith, OrTre Smith

There are only two wide receivers coming in with this class, but both could impact the offense early.

Both in-state prospects were rated four-stars coming out of high school and could see some playing in the first part of the season. OrTre fits more of the Bryan Edwards mold at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds while Shi (5-foot-10, 179 pounds) is known for his speed.

OrTre is picking up the playbook in camp after being a midyear enrollee and starting school in January. Smith is showing “flashes,” according to Roper. He’s also impressed some of his teammates with his speed. Bentley and tight end Hurst said at SEC Media Days Shi could be the team’s fastest player.

Both should be inserted and used in the lineup at some point during their freshmen years if they keep progressing in fall camp.

Also see: Is the end in sight for Jaycee Horn?

Storyline to watch: Who becomes the slot receiver?

Coming into fall camp, junior Terry Googer is listed as the No. 3 receiver with OrTre right behind him.

It should be a wide-open competition, with different names in the mix to play in the wide receiver rotation come Sept. 2.

Along with Googer and OrTre, there are a few players who could see time at slot. Randrecous Davis, whose season last year was derailed by an injury, could play (once healthy) along with Shi and Chavis Dawkins.

Nothing’s settled, and Roper said if the coaching staff usually feels good with six or seven receivers that can play and play well.