There’s a reason Tennessee wideout Marquez North is considered an early-round lock when he enters the NFL draft as an early exit this season or sticks it out until the year after.

Freakish size at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds along with a polished skill set at an impact position makes him one of the hotter commodities for eligible prospects in today’s pass-friendly league.

But first, the junior from North Carolina has unfinished business to take care of in Knoxville where he hasn’t yet fully-developed into one of the SEC’s premiere pass-catchers despite flashes of greatness during his freshman season in 2013.

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As the headliner within a talented core of receivers that’s a man down following Von Pearson’s indefinite suspension, North’s trying to elevate his game into true No. 1 status on Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs-led offense.

Without him, the Vols lack an intimidating target on the outside, a player with proven ability who presents a physical edge against smaller, often less strong corners.

Over his first two seasons, North’s made 21 starts and during that time, has accumulated 68 catches for 816 yards and five touchdowns. While those numbers are solid, top-end receivers post that level of production over a single season and Tennessee needs that this fall.

Inconsistency crept into North’s game as a sophomore. Drops were a problem, routes often questioned and nagging injuries held him back from being one the league’s serious threats.

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His touchdowns increased as a red zone target, but North rarely made plays down the field, a part of his game that benefited the Vols’ passing game two seasons ago.

It was a frustrating year, but North says he has put last season behind him.

“It was just an up-and-down year, really, injury-wise,” North said in a April interview with 247Sports. “A lot of stuff was happening all year. But now I’m just trying to propel myself and move forward. … It was just a lot of trials and tribulations, but I’m glad I overcame it and glad I’m getting back healthy now.”

North, like a lot of key Vols, took it easy this spring and worked out in a non-contact jersey to ensure his shoulder’s back to 100 percent by August. He’s under enormous pressure to return to 2013 form if the Vols expect to boast one of the Eastern Division’s top offenses.

North’s a game-changer at full strength and provides Tennessee with a next-level dimension on the outside to go along with Dobbs and the feared tailback combo of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara.

“Everybody sees the potential,” North told 247Sports. “Coach (Butch) Jones is moving us in the right step. Everybody can see what we can do. It’s just up to us to really focus in on it and have one goal to do it. I know we can be real good.”