However, in 2012 every player at the position was stepping into major or starting roles for the first time in their careers. The same, more seasoned gang is back this season and itching to prove itself.

“I see a huge difference because we’ve got a lot more experience,” senior Bennie Fowler said of the wide receivers.

“We’ve got a season under our belt, playing with a lot more confidence. We’re just focusing more, it was really a focus issue. Just focusing up.”

Fowler, juniors Keith Mumphery and Tony Lippett and sophomore Aaron Burbridge are getting the most time with the first-team offense. Sophomores Macgarrett Kings Jr., and Andre Sims Jr. as well as junior DeAnthony Arnett also are in the mix with the top-two teams.

Last season, Burbridge was a shot-in-the-arm for MSU’s stagnant passing game when he was given a more prominent role near the middle of the year.

The former blue-chip recruit said he can be even better this fall after getting fully up to speed in the playbook in the offseason.

“A play would be called, and (then-junior quarterback Andrew) Maxwell would audible or something and I (was) not sure what to do, so I’d just run anything,” Burbridge said.

If the first-teamers get off to a rocky start again in 2013, it’s possible there could be more opportunities for younger receivers such as Sims Jr., redshirt freshman Monty Madaris or Kings, who wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel said is “making his push.”

“It’s been fun to watch (Kings) grow up and mature,” Samuel said on Monday at MSU football media day. “In the offseason, he’s done what he’s needed to do to put himself in a position to play more.”

Of all the receivers on MSU’s roster, Kings brings a slightly different skill set to the table. The 5-foot-10, 186-pound Florida native is a speedy, quick-burst player that excels in the open field and playing from the slot.

Kings also cited the benefit of having game experience during his true freshman season as a benefit as he looks to improve this fall. Like Burbridge, he’s also mastered the playbook going into his second season and also is getting some looks as a punt returner.

“As a whole we just look ready to prove ourselves this year,” Kings said.

An already deep group got bigger this week when freshman R.J. Shelton was converted to wide receiver a few days into camp. Shelton was recruited as a running back, but with a crowded backfield already competing at that spot, the coaches moved him outside to utilize his speed and talents.

In just a couple of practices, Shelton has earned the praise of Fowler, who said the freshman has “natural ability at receiver, natural hands,” and his only knock is understanding the offense.

“There’s more confidence in the wide receivers now than when they were unknown last year,” Samuel said.

Tough decision

As for who will be throwing the passes this year, Fowler gave his insight on the quarterback battle between Maxwell and sophomore Connor Cook, calling it a great competition and saying at this point looks “very close.”

“Coach D’s got a tough decision to make. All three look good, even Damion Terry looks good too,” he said after practice Friday.

“Connor’s making it hard for Maxwell because Connor’s throwing the ball well. He’s throwing it with consistency. And then Maxwell’s making it hard for Connor because he has that experience, that game experience that Connor doesn’t really have.”