No group took more heat from head football coach Gary Goff than the receivers last season.

Goff, a former college wide receiver himself, was tough on the group that struggled to make plays and get open. There were also more than a few dropped balls.

It was one of the reasons Goff’s air-happy offense was grounded in his first season at McNeese State.

“We did not have enough playmakers,” Goff said. “We needed to get much better in that area. We need to find playmakers who can take the top off the defense.

“It’s not just about catching the football. It’s about getting open, reading the defense and being on the same page as the quarterback.”

To find those types of players Goff went looking all over the country, getting receivers and tight ends from all over the land and from all different levels.

McNeese brought in a former three-star recruit from the University of Cincinnati, Marcus Peterson. The Cowboys added Jihad Marks from Bakersfield College in California and a former Texas tight end prep star Drake Martinez by way of Colorado State. True freshman Niko Johnson also was added to the roster.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Johnson adds size to the receiving crew and has been impressive in the early going, Goff said. Overall though, Goff said he wants to see more.

“There is still a lot of work to do,” he said of his receivers. He added that the Cowboys are still looking for some guys to step up their play.

“Finding the right guys who are going to make plays for us is key. The best players are going to play,” he said. “I’m not scared about starting a true freshman if we have to.”

In the offseason, McNeese signed nine receivers and tight ends in hopes of finding the right group. A good portion of them didn’t arrive on campus until the summer, slowing down the chemistry process with the quarterbacks.

Adding to the nine are also four walk-ons, including one interesting 6-4 freshman from Barbe High named Tyler Goff, son of the head coach.

“The camp will be an important time for the receivers and quarterbacks to work together,” Goff said. “We need to find out who works well together.”

Junior Jalen Johnson and redshirt sophomore Jon McCall are the top returning receivers for McNeese. Each had 12 catches and a touchdown last season.

McCall finished with 204 yards in receiving while Johnson had 135. Senior Kyle Klink, who came to McNeese from Harvard last fall, returns at tight end. The 6-4, 240-pound Klink is a solid blocker and the lone returning starter at any of the Cowboys’ skilled offensive positions.

Klink made seven catches for 92 yards in 10 games.

Another freshman who Goff said might work his way into playing time is 6-4, 200-pound Jer’Michael Carter out of Kentwood.

“I think we are a lot more explosive this season at receiver,” Goff said.

No group has been upgraded more than the receivers.

Goff said the Cowboys expect more use of the running backs in the passing game as they try to balance an attack that threw for 149 yards a game and nine touchdowns.

A better performance by the receivers will keep the heat from their head coach off the room as well leading to more points.