The ink was barely dry on new South Carolina coach Will Muschamp’s contract when a photo of him, Kurt Roper and Travaris Robinson in front of QB prospect Brandon McIlwain’s Christmas tree popped up on Twitter earlier this month.

So, you know that Muschamp and company are serious about filling in some of the talent gaps on the roster in an effort to help the program bounce back from last season’s 3-9 showing.

There are needs across the board, but here are the most crucial ones as Signing Day draws nearer:

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END

Losing after 2015: Pharoh Cooper (leaving early for NFL Draft), Jerell Adams, Carlton Heard and Shamier Jeffrey.

Cooper is leaving a large hole in at wide receiver. He led the team in catches (63), yards (978) and touchdowns (8). Adams started at tight end and was the second-leading receiver with 28 grabs for 421 yards and three scores.

Heard and Jeffrey weren’t integral parts of the offense, and despite these departures, there are seven receivers and tight ends returning who caught passes for the Gamecocks in 2015. The problem is that, with Cooper’s departure, they have no proven game breakers.

RUNNING BACK

Losing after 2015: Brandon Wilds and Shon Carson

Wilds led the team with 567 yards in an injury-marred senior season while Carson chipped in with 297 yards in limited opprotunities. Part-time starter David Williams will be back after rushing for 299 yards, and he represents the only significant experience returning to the position.

Don’t be surprised if a newcomer makes a strong play for the starting role at running back in fall camp.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Losing after 2015: Gerald Dixon, Gerald Dixon Jr., Phillip Dukes and Cedric Cooper

As a defensive-minded coach, Muschamp will want some immediate help up front for a defensive unit that finished 111th nationally against the run in 2015. The Dixons saw significant time at the tackle position, while Dukes and Cooper were part-time contributors.

There are a few players returning with promise, including Marquavius Lewis and Darius English, but the new coaching staff is looking to bolster this position with more athletic players who can improve a faltering pass rush and take the pressure off the back seven.

Other positions Carolina should target: QB, LB, CB, S

CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS

As of Monday afternoon, South Carolina has one signature from a JUCO player in hand and 14 other hard commitments, according to 247sports.

That junior-college player is CB Jamarcus King, a four-star recruit out of Coffeyville (Kan.) CC. King. Originally from Eight Mile, Alabama, he is one of the nation’s best JUCO corners and addresses an immediate need for Robinson’s defense.

McIlwain is bypassing his senior year of high school baseball — and a shot at the MLB Draft — to enroll early at South Carolina. He’s a four-star quarterback prospect from Pennsylvania, and his skill set (read: mobile and athletic with a big arm) seems ideally suited for the sort of offense Roper has run in the past.

Conway (S.C.) WR Bryan Edwards is another four-star prospect who appears to have chosen the Gamecocks over Clemson. Assuming he bounces back from a knee injury that shortened his senior season, he’ll get every chance to contribute early at wide out in 2016.

At running back, CJ Freeman (Greensboro, N.C.) is a solid three-star recruit that has put some impressive prep numbers. He chose the Gamecocks over Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.

OUTLOOK

There are four defensive ends on the commitment list, highlighted by Sadarius Hutcherson, so that area seems to be covered. Freeman and Edwards, however, are the only commitments at their respective positions. You’d have to expect a final push to bring a few more new faces in at running back and receiver.

With LB Skai Moore’s future still a bit hazy, the staff has a commitment from inside LB JaCorey Morris. Another body or two at this position would be a good idea, too.

Muschamp is already preaching patience with the recruiting process, even as he scrambles to fill out this year’s class.

“The biggest thing is don’t make a mistake late,” he said. “I would rather bank those (scholarships) for the next year, even if it hurts you a little bit number-wise. Just make sure you are taking the right player.”

It will be interesting to see if he keeps to that philosophy as the calendar creeps closer to February and Signing Day.