Can UCF football go deep? These receivers will serve as main targets for John Rhys Plumlee

Upon his hiring in January, UCF offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw placed emphasis on attacking vertically in the passing game. And while it's likely — if not a certainty — that the Knights will not deviate from the power-read rushing identity instilled under third-year coach Gus Malzahn, it's fair to expect them to take more shots.

Especially considering the returning group of wide receivers at quarterback John Rhys Plumlee's disposal.

Two starters are back, and UCF's coaching staff aggressively raided the NCAA transfer portal to add experienced depth options to the corps.

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Let's meet the group determined to improve the Knights' passing offense, one which ranked a pedestrian 57th in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 241.2 yards per game last year.

Javon Baker, Kobe Hudson, Xavier Townsend will anchor the group

Javon Baker (6-1, 208, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.)

A former four-star recruit from McEachern High in Georgia, Baker thrived in an expanded role after transferring last summer from Alabama. He quickly became John Rhys Plumlee's most trusted downfield target, with a knack for contested catches.

Baker led the Knights with 796 receiving yards, catching 58 balls with five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus named him to its All-American Athletic Conference second team, and Phil Steele chose him to the AAC's fourth team.

Another big season might put him on the NFL draft radar. UCF has produced five drafted wide receivers in the last decade — Breshad Perriman, Tre'Quan Smith, Gabe Davis, Jacob Harris and Tre Nixon.

Kobe Hudson (6-1, 200, Sr., Pine Mountain, Ga.)

Auburn's top receiver during the 2021 season, and a prized recruit during Malzahn's tenure, Hudson missed two games in September due to a "personal matter." He made nine consecutive starts to close the campaign, recording 39 catches for 641 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns.

"It gave me a whole different look at the game, just to be honest," Hudson said of his time away from the sidelines. "Coach Malzahn, we sat down and talked. It was a lot of things I had going on that I had to fix — for me, and for the team — to be a team-first guy. I feel like I'm going to get off to a great start and not be behind the gate this year."

Hudson had three multi-touchdown games last season, including the AAC championship game loss at Tulane, as well as a career-high mark in yards per reception (16.4).

Xavier Townsend (5-11, 185, So., Tampa, Fla.)

UCF flipped Townsend from Big 12 counterpart Iowa State ahead of the December signing period in 2021. Townsend primarily worked as a running back during his senior year at Berkeley Prep, logging 116 carries for 1,209 yards and 20 touchdowns but was recruited to play slot receiver.

He battled through an early hamstring injury to suit up in all 14 games, making 23 catches for 127 yards and returning 20 punts for 177 yards. Townsend's path to first-string reps became much clearer in the winter when Ryan O'Keefe entered the transfer portal and enrolled at Boston College.

"Everything is slowing down a lot for me," Townsend said last week. "Last year, it just seemed like everything was so fast. … My route-running, I feel like, has gotten better. I'm reading defenses easier, so I know where the holes will be at."

Chauncey Magwood, Corey Gammage highlight transfer portal additions

Chauncey Magwood (6-0, 187, Jr., Albany, Ga.)

Twice a state champion at Lee County during his high school days, Magwood enrolled at UCF in the spring after two seasons at Kentucky. For the Wildcats, he totaled seven receptions for 104 yards in '22, earning a start against Ole Miss and catching his first career TD versus Miami (Ohio).

Magwood brings extra athleticism to the roster and should be utilized along with Townsend as the team's top slot options. Gadget plays are a possibility as well; he played quarterback as a senior, throwing for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Corey Gammage (6-4, 220, RSr., Delray Beach, Fla.)

Pried away from Purdue as a spring portal entry, Gammage departed Marshall with top-12 career totals in receptions (178) and receiving yards (2,239), as well as 13 touchdowns. He topped the Thundering Herd in receiving for each of the last three seasons.

Gammage is a veteran of 45 games at the Division I level, which appealed to UCF wide receivers coach Grant Heard to bridge the divide within his position group.

"He's a big-bodied kid with great hands and ball skills," Heard said. "He's still learning the offense while trying to figure out our standard. He was only here, really, a month (before camp opened). … He's still feeling his way, but you see flashes that, once it all comes together, he's going to be awesome."

Trent Whittemore (6-4, 211, RJr., Gainesville, Fla.)

A second-generation UCF wideout, following a four-year run at Florida, Whittemore enjoyed a breakout 2021 campaign prior to Dan Mullen's dismissal as head coach. He set new career benchmarks in receptions (19) and yards (210), working as a big slot target.

Whittemore slid down the depth chart in Billy Napier's regime, competing in seven games for the Gators last year, averaging 21.8 yards per catch with fewer targets.

He's got the size to line up on the perimeter, the craft to move inside and a knack for versatility. Whittemore played four positions (safety, cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback) at Buchholz High in Gainesville.

Jarrad Baker, Jaylon Griffin, Tyree Patterson poised to push for reps

Jarrad Baker (5-11, 170, RSr., Eau Gallie, Fla.)

Injuries and positional switches have marred Baker's tenure at UCF after joining the program in 2019 as a consensus three-star recruit. But, Baker put together his best offseason and appears poised to enter the rotation at receiver.

"He's improved a whole bunch," Heard said. "Coming off as many (knee injuries) as he's had, I think he has a chance to help us."

Baker has dressed 26 times for the Knights, recording seven tackles on special teams and securing one career reception — all the way back on Sept. 28, 2019, against UConn.

Jaylon Griffin (6-3, 185, RSr., Huntsville, Texas)

Plucked from the JUCO ranks in 2021, Griffin worked his way into the first-string picture last October, making his first career start at East Carolina. He totaled four receptions for 47 yards, seeing extended reps in lopsided wins over South Carolina State and Temple.

Tyree Patterson (6-2, 175, Fr., Eustis, Fla.)

Hinshaw and Heard have both recently complimented the progression of Patterson, nephew of UCF Hall of Fame inductee Joe Burnett. The Knights added him to their 2023 recruiting class late in the process following a flip from Florida.

He's got blazing top-end speed for his size, and plenty of explosive prep tape. During his sophomore and junior years at Eustis, Patterson reeled in 85 receptions for 1,692 yards and 20 scores.

Assuming everything goes according to plan, home dates with Kent State and Villanova provide excellent opportunities for Patterson to gain experience.

Amari Johnson returns, Dionte Marks could stretch the field

• Stephen Martin (6-5, 210, RJr., Orlando, Fla.)

• Amari Johnson (5-10, 160, RSr., Miami, Fla.)

• Dionte Marks (6-2, 190, RSr., DeLand, Fla.)

• Tyler Griffin (6-5, 205, RFr., Statesboro, Ga.)

• Dwartney Wortham (6-0, 169, RFr., LaGrange, Ga.)

• JaJuan Forte (6-1, 195, 5th, Youngstown, Ohio)

• Andrew Dickson (5-10, 165, RSo., Silverdale, Wash.)

• Cullen Smith (6-2, 180, RSo., Mooresville, N.C.)

Martin, a former standout at nearby Bishop Moore, worked his way up from the scout team to a regular contributor. He's played 19 games under Malzahn, catching five passes including a touchdown at Memphis.

Fun fact: Running back Isaiah Bowser connected with Martin on a jump pass for that first career TD.

Johnson shined in the 2022 spring game, but redshirted after suffering an ankle injury in fall camp. He'll look to get back to his best, improving upon his junior-year totals of 23 catches, 138 yards and one touchdown.

Marks, a former News-Journal Offensive Player of the Year at DeLand, caught a TD during this year's spring game. A touted three-star prospect entering his fourth season with the program after transferring from Florida, he's got the speed to be utilized as an occasional home-run threat.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF football: Baker, Hudson, Townsend pack 1-2-3 punch at receiver