Wide Receivers
The wide receiver group is a large group, and that’s being kind. According to the official roster, there are 19 receivers listed. Granted, several are walk-ons, and some don’t see much playing time other than garbage time.
However, in this group, there is a huge part of it that IS very talented and very productive. Yes, Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell have departed for the NFL. That’s 130 receptions, 1902 yards and 14 touchdowns that will go to someone else this year. That should not be a problem.
The walking wounded, Joseph Ngata, Frank Ladson and Justyn Ross, are back healthy and anxious to step in and prove their worth. DJ Uiagalelei will have multiple targets to move the ball through the air. As a sophomore, Ross hauled in 66 passes for 865 yards and 8 touchdowns. He missed his junior season due to a congenital fusion condition of his neck and spine, nothing to sneeze at. In a recent interview, Coach Dabo reported that Ross is healthy and cleared to start playing again. This is big news to Tiger fans.
Joseph Ngata came to Clemson a highly rated 4-star WR from California, but nagging injuries plagued him throughout the season. He had 7 receptions for 55 yards in his limited time, but his potential is through the roof. Frank Ladson also suffered through various injuries, He missed 8 games and managed 18 receptions for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited time. With both of these WRs back healthy, the passing game will not skip a beat.
Sophomore EJ Williams benefited from Ngata and Ladson missing time, with 24 receptions for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the ACC Championship game and the CFP game, he had 9 receptions combined for 125 yards and a touchdown. Look for Williams to improve those numbers. Junior Brannon Spector had 16 receptions for 136 yards and falls behind this guys production wise, but is another dependable receiver.
Ajou Ajou is without a doubt a wild card here. His football path took him from Canada to high school ball in Florida to Clemson. Last year, he got his feet wet, recording 2 receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown, a 35 yard reception against Georgia Tech. According to Coach Swinney “He has improved leaps and bounds since last year.” Ajou is a big WR (6-3 215) with explosive talent.
Will Swinney is a jack of all trades type of player. He only had 7 receptions for 29 yards, but he also is the holder on field goals and extra points, and from time to time, returns punts.
The 2021 freshman group of Wide Receivers is as solid as they come. Beaux Collins (6-3 195) is a high 4-star out of California and a former teammate of DJ Uiagalelei. Collins will get early playing time. Another “Collins”, Daquiri (6-4 200) is another big WR that fits in with the successful Clemson receivers. These two are the next two in line to step up to the plate and be ready for the next line of great Clemson WRs. No, I haven’t forgotten Troy Stellato, the 4-star receiver from Florida. Stellato is a speed merchant and as polished a receiver as anyone on the roster.
This Clemson group is one of the deepest in college football. Wave after wave of receivers entering the game with little or no drop off. QB Uiagalelei has multiple weapons to keep happy.
Projected starters: Justyn Ross, Joseph Ngata, Frank Ladson
