Marquez North entered the 2014 season with huge expectations. After a breakout freshman year, the sophomore was selected to the preseason Coaches All-SEC first-team, as well as several other award watch lists.

North was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Tennessee offense that finished the 2013 season with a 5-7 record. He provided two of the biggest highlights of the season with catches against Georgia and South Carolina– Tennessee’s only win against a ranked opponent.

But North had a forgettable debut in the Vols’ home opener against Utah State. Seeing few targets, North recorded just 38 yards on four catches. Entering Week 2, North looked to bounce back with a breakout performance. He did just that against Arkansas State.

North finished with 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns on four catches in Tennessee’s 34-19 victory Saturday. The sophomore provided Vol fans with several highlights, similar to the big play ability he displayed last season.

Tennessee boasts a talented wide receiver corps with North as its centerpiece. Despite being just a second-year player, North is one of the most experienced of the group. In 2013, North made appearances in each of Tennessee’s 11 games, seeing a growing role in the offense as the season progressed. The then-freshman made strides to improve his raw talent through the season and displayed plenty of examples as to why he began 2014 with such hype.

With the injury to fellow starter Von Pearson, North should see an even greater increase in targets as Tennessee takes on Oklahoma this weekend. As the team’s No. 1 receiver, the pressure is on North to provide the Vols with a big performance against a highly favored road opponent.

For Tennessee to stand a chance against the Sooners, North must have a career day and provide quarterback Justin Worley with a top target. North will continue to make big plays and grow as an elite SEC wide receiver in 2014.