No group at Texas A&M has been hit harder in 2020 than the receivers.

The Aggies began the season with all of their starters from last year gone after a late opt-out from Jhamon Ausbon. Just when Caleb Chapman seemed like he was on the verge of a breakout, he suffered a season-ending injury.

But A&M’s luck took a bit of a turn on Saturday in their 42-31 win over Arkansas.

Hezekiah Jones played in his first game since his sophomore season, finishing with 5 catches for 47 yards. Jones suffered a ruptured Achilles on the first day of last year’s fall camp and sat the entire 2019 season. He had a limited role the year before, finishing with 15 receptions and 134 yards.

His return couldn’t have come at a better time for a vastly inexperienced receiving corps. He is the only available upperclassman on scholarship, with Camron Buckley out because of injury. Chase Lane had been the Aggies’ top receiver to this point, and he had 3 catches for 50 yards against the Razorbacks.

Can Jones’ return to the lineup be a boost for the offense? Quarterback Kellen Mond certainly thinks so.

“It just adds another veteran guy,” Mond said Saturday. “Another guy I have chemistry with and someone who understands what we’re trying to accomplish on offense and understands how to read coverages. It was huge to get him back. This was still his first game, and I look for him to grow and be an elite receiver for us.”

The Aggies’ leading pass catchers have actually been running back Ainias Smith and tight end Jalen Wydermyer. Smith is more of a big-play threat because of his speed, and Wydermeyer is definitely someone to watch in the red zone, as evidenced by his 8 touchdowns since arriving last year as a freshman.

But the need to get the actual receivers involved more has been evident. There is hope that Jones, who is also Mond’s roommate, could help spark that. The connection between the two was on display against the Razorbacks.

“Me and Kellen have known each other for a long time,” Jones said Monday. “I’ve been catching footballs from Kellen since sophomore year of high school. We kind of started early with our chemistry. Just being in the film room with Kellen and asking him, ‘Why’d you make that throw?’ or, ‘What was your read on that?’ and get in his mind so as a receiver I can be ready for the ball when it comes to me.”

Jones was just 4 yards shy of his career high on Saturday. He should only continue to improve as he brushes off some of the rust that is natural after a prolonged absence. Even if he isn’t a star, there is a thought that his experience could be of value in the progression of younger receivers like Demond Demas and Moose Muhammad III. That’s a role he said he’s ready for.

“Just experience and keeping the energy high,” Jones said. “I’m a big energy guy, and you’ve just got to keep positive vibes and energy around me. I want to have fun when we go out there and play and keep reminding those guys that’s the reason why we play. It’s fun being with those younger guys and just watching them grow.”

It was good to see Jones get back on the field last week after a rough past year-and-a-half. As the second half of the season gets underway, he should only become more important.