BALTIMORE, MD - In the fifth of a seven-part series breaking down the 2017 Johns Hopkins football team, HopkinsSports.com takes a look at the Blue Jay wide receivers and tight ends. While newcomers to the program may make an impact this season, the breakdown includes only returning players.

Who's Gone: Replacing Bradley Munday, JHU's career leader in receptions (268), would be a challenge if that's all the Blue Jays had to replace here, but it's not. Also gone are Quinn Donaldson (132 career receptions) and Boone Lewis, Jr. (69 receptions). During their career, this trio combined for 469 receptions for 5,936 yards and 57 touchdowns; there are talented players on hand, but that's a lot to replace at the wide receiver spot.

Caggiano, McFadden Provide Solid One-Two Punch at WR: While it's easy to focus on what was lost, an argument can be made that the two big-play receivers are actually returning this season in senior co-captain Brett Caggiano and junior Luke McFadden. After all, they were a big part of a passing game that generated more than 4,100 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2016.

Caggiano had a career-high 29 receptions for 656 yards and seven touchdowns last season. His 22.6 yards per reception is the highest in school history for a season by a player with 25 or more receptions and ranked sixth nationally among players with 25 or more receptions a year ago.

McFadden finished fourth on the team in receptions (37) and receiving yards (553) a year ago an added six touchdowns. His coming out party - an 11-reception, 222-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 42-21 win over Randolph-Macon in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Playoffs - set the stage for 2017, when he could emerge as one of the top receivers in the region.

Senior David Brookhart (18-141-0), junior Kyle Morris (11-107-1) and sophomore Dane Rogerson (9-101-0) all should see increased playing time at wide receiver and each is being counted on to produce at a higher level and offset the losses on the outside. Brookhart is easily the most experienced of this group as he has played in 27 career games and counts 42 receptions for 440 yards and four TDs to his credit.

Maloney, Ferrari Provide Big Targets at TE: Comfort for a first-year starting quarterback, which the Blue Jays will have this season, is often found with the tight end. Caggiano was often lined up at tight end last season and Hopkins may have the two biggest targets in the nation at the position in juniors Patrick Maloney (6-5 / 245) and Bill Ferrari (6-4 / 220). Each presents a matchup problem for the opposition and both could flourish with the defense focused on McFadden and Caggiano on the outside and senior Ryan Cary in the backfield.

Inside the Numbers
7 - First Team All-Centennial wide receivers Johns Hopkins has produced in the last seven years. This accounts for half of the 14 JHU has produced since the league was formed in 1983.

1,558 - Combined receiving yards last season for Johns Hopkins' top five returning receivers. This does not include the 518 receiving yards by senior RB Ryan Cary.

3.41 - Johns Hopkins' top five returning receivers and top two returning tight ends combined to post a 3.41 GPA in the 2017 spring semester. Each had at least a 3.0 GPA in the spring and four of the seven posted above a 3.5.

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