USC spring preview: Receivers

USC begins spring practice March 3. We’ll preview each position group before workouts begin.

Receivers

Key departures: Nelson Agholor and George Farmer

Key returning players: Junior Darreus Rogers and sophomores JuJu Smith and Adoree’ Jackson

Returning players: Third-year sophomore Steven Mitchell and sophomore Ajene Harris

Newcomer: Junior Isaac Whitney

Outlook: The Trojans will have a young receiving corps after Agholor and Farmer, both juniors, made themselves available for the NFL draft.

Agholor was quarterback Cody Kessler’s go-to receiver last season. He caught a team-best 104 passes, 12 for touchdowns.

Smith caught 54 passes, five for touchdowns.

Jackson, a starting cornerback, finished with an outstanding offensive performance – three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Holiday Bowl -- and could play more at receiver in 2015.

Rogers’ and Mitchell’s roles will probably expand.

Harris, who played in five games, took significant reps with the starters during fall camp before he was limited because of a hamstring injury.

Whitney, 6-feet-4, transferred from Riverside City College and enrolled in January. Coach Steve Sarkisian said he would compete immediately for a role.

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