Wide Receivers
Clemson used to be known as Wide Receiver U, a designator that’s up for debate, but it’s hard to argue with the success of Tiger receivers over the past 8-10 years. Clemson has been spoiled by such players as Deandre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Mike WIlliams, Hunter Renfrow and Justyn Ross.
The 2021 version of “WRU” left a lot to be desired, but to be fair, injuries decimated this position. The last few games of the season saw two true freshmen, Beaux and Dacari Collins, thrust into the starting lineup while senior holder/WR Will Swinney was the starter in the slot. What happened? EJ WIlliams, Joseph Ngata, Justyn Ross, Robbie Spector, Will Taylor, Troy Sellato and Frank Ladson all were dealing with injuries and were unavailable at the end of season.
Ajou Ajou came into Clemson with a lot of raw talent, and eventually, left via the transfer portal to USF with the same raw talent.
Of this group, Ross has declared for the NFL draft and Ladson transferred to the University of Miami. Ross missed the last three games of the season but still led the team in receptions with 46. Williams, Ngata, Spector, Stellato, Taylor, and Ladson missed 36 games between them and totalled 40 receptions. This coming from a group that was counted on to continue the tradition of WRU.
Ok, that was 2021. What will this position group look like in 2022, and what will we see in the spring. Let’s look at who returns and who to watch in the spring game.
#80 Beaux Collins Soph #3 Dacari Collins Soph #16 Will Taylor FR* #15 Troy Stellato FR* #6 EJ Williams Junior #10 Joseph Ngata Junior #13 Brannon Specxtor Soph #8 Adam Randall FR Antonio Williams FR
How this group gells under WR Coach Tyler Grisham will be under the microscope in the spring. The Collins’ duo finished the season as the starters, but both will face tough competition, especially from Williams and Ngata. This group needs to get better, get separation and give the Clemson quarterbacks the opportunity to get the ball downfield.
Will Taylor showed the speed and quickness to challenge at the slot position, along with Stellato. Both are explosive runners that can make things happen, if they can get the ball.
Two incoming freshmen, Randall and Williams, are both 4-star talents and both should push the players ahead of them.
This is a very young group with bits of experience here and there. This position was nowhere near “WRU” territory last year, but could get back that way with some help. The key to offensive success for the receivers is improved health, good play calling, and improved quarterback play. Check this group out in the spring.
