GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Prospects appear bright this season for Furman's wide receiving corps, which consists of 18 players, six lettermen, and four performers with starting experience.

"I've said since the spring that our wide receivers are a talented group," said head coach Clay Hendrix on Friday, a little over a week into the Paladins' preseason.  "We've got some length and size, and maybe a faster group than we've had in some time.  That, combined with the skill set of our quarterbacks and our ability to get them the ball, makes it a group we look forward to seeing how they progress."

The most experienced returnee is Ben Ferguson (5-11, 197, Sr.), a true senior and owner of 14 starts who caught 24 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns a year ago.  The Woodlands, Texas, product has 54 catches in his career, spanning 30 games.

"Ben played as a true freshman and has made a lot of big catches for us.  He's been hampered with some injuries and is still fighting thru things, but he's an older, dependable guy with arguably the best hands on the team."

Ethan Harris (6-2, 194, R-Jr.) is another fourth year player who has earned playing time in 21 games and collected 20 receptions for 272 yards and a score.

"Ethan has continually gotten better, and I think he's faster now than when he got here.  He brings a lot to the table, and we're looking for a big year out of him."

A player in Harris' mold, Ja'Keith Hamilton (6-3, 206, R-So.) earned starts in four games and had nine receptions last season.

"Ja'Keth is another big-bodied guy who has battled injuries.  It's year three for him, so we're looking forward to him stepping up."

Joining Ferguson, Harris, and Hamilton in forming the core of returning performers is Devin Hester, Jr. (5-10, 172, So.), who registered four starts and had 10 catches in 2024.

"Coming in a year ago, Devin got thrown into action in the return game and as a receiver.  I think he's had a good off season.  He's another guy who can help us in the return game."

The presence of Gram Smithson (5-11, 176, R-Jr.) is a big plus, particularly on special teams.

"Gram is a highly dependable player who continues to make plays.  He runs well, runs excellent routes, and has great hands."

A notable absence from the group this year is Jon Holbrook (6-4, 200, R-Jr.), who sustained an injury in the spring after earning starts in four games a year ago.

"Jon really came on last year and would have played a huge part in what we are doing now.  He underwent surgery this spring, but I just don't see him getting back out there this fall."

Another player who won't see action this year due to injury is Walker Wood (6-0, 197, R-So.).

Three key additions to the group hold promise.  They include graduate transfers Kerry King (5-10, 180, Gr.) from East Carolina and Nick Ragano (5-11, 182, Gr.) from Wake Forest, and Evan James (5-11, 170, Fr.).

"Kerry's a guy that coach (Drew) Dudzik had at East Carolina.  He's done a good job and is one of the faster guys on the team.  He might also play a role in the return game.

"Nick came in in the spring but has been limited this fall with injury.  We should get him back soon.  He has shown ability.

"In looking at Evan, in less than two weeks he's made quite an impression on a lot of us.  He was here this summer, but from a practice standpoint what we've witnessed is a guy you are going to see on the field and in the return game."

Another James — Landyn James (6-2, 196, R-Fr.) — appears to be on the upswing and moving into position to contribute, according to Hendrix.

"Landyn's a guy in his second year who is having a solid preseason camp and competing well. He has the kind of game that will allow him to give us some quality snaps.

The receiving corps has several others who will add to the competition and depth, including Riley Clark (6-1, 197, R-Jr.), Brooks Whitmer (6-0, 190, R-So.), Santino Varvel (6-3, 183, Fr.), Connor Morin (5-10, 180, Fr.), Ian Olsen (6-0, 200, Fr.), Hill Despard (6-1, 200, Fr.), and Seth Roach (6-0, 170, Fr.).

"Riley is one of those guys you know what you are going to get out of him every day, and that's everything.  He's always looking for ways to help our program.  I'm proud to have him on our team.  He's totaly dependable, and Brooks is another veteran who does some good things out there."

"Connor is a guy, if you watch his tape, you see great things.  He obviously has really good blood lines. His brother (Taylor, all-time leading receiving yards leader at Wake Forest) had a great career.  We're excited to see how he progresses.

"Ian is another one we really like.  If he and others, like Hill and Seth, who has been hindered a bit in the preseason due to injury, can work their way into the rotation, we'll see.  There's a lot of competition.

"Santino is a guy who postponed his enrollment a year ago after undergoing hip surgery his senior year.  He's an older guy but is a true freshman who has good ability.  Like several others, it will depend on how quickly he can grasp things to move up the depth chart.

As mentioned Paladin special teams should again benefit from an abundance of contributors from the wide receiving corps.

"There were some years around here that we didn't get much out of our receivers in special teams, but that's not the case now.  Coach Dudzik deserves credit for that."