Pittsburgh Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 14: Head Coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Pittsburgh defeated Duke 31-13. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 14: Head Coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Pittsburgh defeated Duke 31-13. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

Starting receivers: Quadree Henderson, Jester Weah, Tre Tipton
Backups: Maurice Ffrench, Rafael Araujo-Lopes, Aaron Mathews

Quadree Henderson returns as the Pittsburgh Panthers biggest key to success in 2017. He was sixth in the FBS and third in the ACC in kickoff return yards (914) scoring on three different occasions last season.

Henderson led both the FBS and the ACC in kickoff return touchdowns and combined kick return yards (1,166) in 2016. After also rushing for 631 rushing yards a season ago, the Pittsburgh Panthers offense will feature a lot to showcase Henderson’s abilities.

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Jester Weah started in seven of 13 games last season. He returns after leading the team in receptions (36), receiving yards (870) and receiving touchdowns (10) during the 2016 season.

Tre Tipton appeared in nine games for the Panthers at wide receiver last year. He missed the final four games of the season due to injury. He caught a pass in all but one game he appeared in a season ago.

Maurice Ffrench is listed as the backup to Quadree Henderson. Ffrench, a two-way player, is also listed as a defensive back on the Panthers roster. If he can make some plays, a transition to strictly offense could work in his favor.

Rafeal Araujo-Lopes was a member of the kick return unit and also served as a reserve receiver in 2016. Aaron Mathews is a true sophomore listed at the third reserve wide receiver spot. He played in 12 games last season, starting in three of them.