Tag: Adam Randall

Update on Clemson receiver

The Clemson Insider has learned a wide receiver recently sustained an injury during spring practice. Freshman Adam Randall suffered a knee injury during practice last week, though the severity of it isn’t known at this point. Asked on Monday if the …

The Clemson Insider has learned a wide receiver recently sustained an injury during spring practice.

Freshman Adam Randall suffered a knee injury during practice last week, though the severity of it isn’t known at this point. Asked on Monday if the injury involved an ACL tear, a team spokesperson told TCI the Tigers are hoping to get clarity on the injury later in the day.

Randall, a four-star signee out of Myrtle Beach High, is going through the spring as an early enrollee. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has created plenty of buzz through Clemson’s first 12 practices with his physique and advanced knowledge of the game as a youngster.

Clemson is slated to resume spring practices late Monday afternoon.

Tigers’ passing game looks to regain confidence

After not living up to expectations last season, Clemson’s passing attack is looking to regain its confidence.

In a season full of inconsistency, injuries and question marks, the Tigers’ offense failed to deliver to its preseason expectations.

Now, after throwing for 191.2 passing yards per game last season, Clemson’s passing attack is looking toward reviving itself in the fall.

“We got to get some confidence in the passing game too, and we lost our confidence last year,” Clemson passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson said on Wednesday. “Once we lost it, it was hard to get it back, so we’ve made some tweaks.”

Richardson, who is taking over for Brandon Streeter as the team’s passing game coordinator, said the Tigers need to get back to the basics and put the ball in the playmakers’ hands.

Whether it be freshman wide receiver Adam Randall, sophomore Beaux Collins or running back Will Shipley, Clemson’s offense has the weapons to establish a revitalized passing attack.

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Grisham on Randall: ‘Everyone’s raving about him, and for good reason’

There’s been plenty of hype surrounding Clemson freshman wide receiver Adam Randall this spring, and receivers coach Tyler Grisham has been very impressed with the highly regarded Myrtle Beach High School product as well. “Adam Randall, everyone’s …

There’s been plenty of hype surrounding Clemson freshman wide receiver Adam Randall this spring, and receivers coach Tyler Grisham has been very impressed with the highly regarded Myrtle Beach High School product as well.

“Adam Randall, everyone’s raving about him, and for good reason,” Grisham said following Monday’s practice. “Because he doesn’t look like a freshman. Physically, you can see that. But out there on the field, he’s a quick learner. Comes from a great program at Myrtle Beach High School, and very similar concepts to what we run. So, all it is for him is really new terminology. He’s done these concepts before. So, he’s making plays. He knows where to be, and I think for him, you just see a big, physically imposing guy that uses his frame, using God’s gift to his ability. He’s a great pass catcher, very natural pass catcher. So, that’s been great.”

Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Randall parlayed an impressive 2021 season at Myrtle Beach into being one of five finalists for “Mr. Football” in South Carolina. The national top-125 player was a first-team All-State 4A selection by the South Carolina Coaches Association and was selected to the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando in January. He also played in the North-South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach and was a Shrine Bowl selection for South Carolina as well.

As a senior, Randall had 1,267 receiving yards on 65 catches with 16 touchdowns, to go with 325 yards rushing on just 45 attempts (7.2 yards per rush) and seven touchdowns, giving him 1,592 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns.

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For Swinney, freshman receiver among rare breed at Clemson

The physique of one of Clemson’s newcomers continues to be a talking point among the Tigers’ coaches and players this spring. But it’s not the only part of Adam Randall’s game that’s advanced. In fact, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said there are only …

The physique of one of Clemson’s newcomers continues to be a talking point among the Tigers’ coaches and players this spring.

But it’s not the only part of Adam Randall’s game that’s advanced. In fact, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said there are only three other receivers that he’s seen during his 19 years involved with the program show up ready to contribute from Day 1 the way Randall has.

“Sammy (Watkins), (Justyn) Ross, and Beaux Collins,” Swinney said. “And when I say ready, I’m talking about fundamentally, technically, physically and mentally just get it like it’s second nature. Release techniques. You name it. Just ready.

“We’ve obviously had a bunch of great players, but they were all lacking something. They needed to get stronger. They physically weren’t where they needed to be. Mentally, they weren’t where they needed to be. They were basketball players that needed to learn how to be a receiver. Or they were a quarterback like (Hunter) Renfrow that needed to learn how to be a receiver. We’ve had all across the board guys that developed, but those (three) guys, from the day they got here, just had technique, route-running principles, break points and a real foundation and understanding. You don’t get many of those guys.”

At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Randall, who’s going through spring practice as a mid-year enrollee, is already pushing rising junior Joseph Ngata as the biggest receiver on the Tigers’ roster. The comparisons to some of the NFL’s top big-bodied wideouts have already started among coaches and teammates, too.

But Swinney said he’s including the former Myrtle Beach High standout in the same breath as Watkins, Ross and Collins because he’s also more polished with some of the details of the position the way those three were at a young age. Watkins played just three years at Clemson before becoming the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft while Ross, who’s entering this year’s draft, was on the same trajectory before spinal fusion surgery cost him all of the 2020 season, which would’ve been his third at Clemson.

Collins, a blue-chip recruit out of St. John Bosco High (California), got an increased role during his true freshman season last fall as injuries depleted one of the deeper positions on the roster, finishing second on the team in receptions (31) with three touchdown catches, tied for most on the team.

“We’ve had a lot of great players that have developed into first-rounders, high picks and so forth, but Adam is one that, once we get the details down and get him mentally where he needs to be, he’s physically, fundamentally and technically just very advanced.”

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Swinney: ‘He has the eye of the Tiger’

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney continues to praise freshman wide receiver, Adam Randall. “Adam Randall is getting better every day,” Swinney said following the Tigers’ scrimmage on Wednesday. “It is really hard to believe he is a high school …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney continues to praise freshman wide receiver, Adam Randall.

“Adam Randall is getting better every day,” Swinney said following the Tigers’ scrimmage on Wednesday. “It is really hard to believe he is a high school senior. He made a couple of big plays today,”

Clemson has had other receivers arrive ready to play, but not many more are physically ready to compete.

“He is rare.  I don’t know about you, but I didn’t see many guys walking the halls of Pelham high school looking like that.  He is bigger than Sammy.  Sammy was a physical specimen but he is just bigger,” said Swinney.

Randall is a player that would pass the get-off-the-bus test in college and even on Sundays.

“Literally you could put him in an NFL locker room anywhere in the country and you would never pick him out,” Swinney said. “You might pick (Hunter) Renfrow. You would never pick that guy.”

The freshman might be just a kid but he has something that Swinney loves to see in his players.

“The cool thing is, he’s just a kid,” Swinney said. “He looks like he should be in an NFL locker room and he literally would fit, no problem. But, he is just a kid and he has this sweet spirit to him. He is just learning every day. He is hungry. He has what I call the ‘Eye of the Tiger.'”

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Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Brandon Streeter rave about freshman receiver

Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter are ecstatic about freshman Adam Randall.

Former Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross left behind a hefty legacy for the next Tiger to don the No. 8 jersey, but a new freshman has already begun to draw high praise from the Tigers’ coaching staff.

Wide receiver Adam Randall is an early enrolled recruit from Myrtle Beach, S.C. Rated as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports, Randall has received high praise from head coach Dabo Swinney.

“He’s got what I call the ‘eye of the tiger,'” Swinney said on Wednesday. “It’s very natural to him. He loves to compete. He loves to be coached. He’s really come in here with a great foundation, fundamentally and technically. He’s one of those guys that has shown up ready to play.”

Swinney further elaborated by calling Randall one of the three other receivers in Swinney’s 19 years that were immediately ready to play. Sammy Watkins, Ross and sophomore Beaux Collins were the three that Swinney grouped in with Randall.

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter echoed Swinney’s praise on Wednesday.

“When I think of Adam Randall, I think of grit. I think of a guy that’s working his butt off,” he said. “He’s probably like ‘I can’t believe I’m getting this many reps.’ He is working his tail off.”

Setting aside his talent and attitude, Randall has an impressive 6-foot-two height and weighs 215 pounds, a frame that has also caught the eye of Swinney.

“He’s rare. I don’t know about you; I didn’t see many guys in Pelham High School (Swinney’s alma mater) walking the halls looking like that,” he said. “You could put him in an NFL locker room anywhere in the country, and you’d never pick him out.”

With Randall’s work ethic and size already being compared to NFL talent, Clemson’s wide receiver room may have added another gem on the outside.

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Freshman receiver already drawing NFL comparisons

One look at Adam Randall on a football field, and it’d be easy to assume he’s been going through a college strength and conditioning program for a few years. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney even took it one step further. “Physically, you could put him in …

One look at Adam Randall on a football field, and it’d be easy to assume he’s been going through a college strength and conditioning program for a few years. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney even took it one step further.

“Physically, you could put him in an NFL locker room and he could fit right in,” Swinney said.

But the Tigers’ young receiver is still a few years away from possibly playing at the next level.

In fact, Randall is just five practices into his collegiate career, though he hardly looks like he’s only been on Clemson’s campus since January. The true freshman is one of nine mid-year enrollees in the Tigers’ 2022 recruiting class going through spring practice.

He might be the most physically mature of the newcomers, especially considering the position he plays. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Randall is already as filled out as any receiver on the roster. For comparison’s sake, junior Joseph Ngata, Clemson’s biggest receiver, goes 6-3 and 220 pounds.

Randall’s stature is already drawing a likeness to some of the NFL’s top big-bodied wideouts. He’s just an inch shorter and 11 pounds lighter than Tennessee Titans All-Pro A.J. Brown, though quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei had a different comparison in mind.

“You see him out there, and he kind of looks more like a (Seattle Seahawks receiver) DK Metcalf,” Uiagalelei said. “Kind of like a Joe Ngata. He’s big like that.”

Uiagalelei said that doesn’t mean Randall can’t separate from defensive backs.

“He’s a raw talent. Runs routes very well. Catches the ball really well,” Uiagalelei said. “He’s really fast. Has a lot of deceptive speed.”

Randall used his skill set to turn into one of the top recruits in South Carolina coming out of Myrtle Beach High, where he had 65 catches for 1,267 yards and 16 touchdown receptions as a senior this past season. An Under Armour All-American, Randall was one of two four-star receivers to sign with Clemson this year, joining fellow in-state standout Antonio Williams.

Clemson has four of its top five receivers back from last season, but with Justyn Ross moving on to the NFL and E.J. Williams (knee) out this spring, Randall has gotten some second-team reps on the outside. Like most freshmen, there’s an adjustment to make to the college game, but it hasn’t taken Randall long to show what he’s capable of out wide.

“He made a couple of plays (Wednesday) that were special,” Swinney said. “But just some little things as far as some technique and some release techniques. A lot coming at him through five days of installation, but he’s exactly what we’d hoped he would be.”

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Spring Practice Day 1: Freshmen observations

Clemson held its first practice of the spring on Wednesday afternoon. The media was allowed to watch the first six periods of the practice. Here are some notes from what The Clemson Insider observed on the newcomers: It was evident that Cade Klubnik …

Clemson held its first practice of the spring on Wednesday afternoon.

The media was allowed to watch the first six periods of the practice. Here are some notes from what The Clemson Insider observed on the newcomers:

  • It was evident that Cade Klubnik received the most attention from the coaching staff out of all the freshmen. He’s currently behind Billy Wiles and Hunter Helms on the depth chart, which is normal for the start of spring practice as he learns the nuances of Brandon Streeter’s offense.
    • From what we were able to watch, Klubnik was getting a feel for the offense. He looked comfortable rolling out of the pocket and making some off-platform throws.
  • Adam Randall looks even bigger in person. The true freshman wide receiver is listed by Clemson as 6-2, 215-pounds, but that doesn’t do him justice. He’s a big body receiver, who was even spending some time working with Clemson’s punt coverage unit.
  • As for the other early enrollees on offense — Collin Sadler and Blake Miller — they both look the part. The true freshmen offensive lineman were both working out at tackle, which will be their respective homes for the foreseeable future, according to head coach Dabo Swinney.
    • From what we observed, Sadler and Miller spent a lot of their time working with Tyrone Crowder and Brandon Thomas.
  • As for Robert Gunn III, he will not be participating in spring practice as he recovers from an ACL injury. However, his counterpart, Jack Smith, was getting in some work at punter. Swinney joked earlier Wednesday that Smith would have some “shanks,” as there are some early nerves that come with the pressure of being a special teamer early on.
  • Jeadyn Lukus and Toriano Pride, Jr. have a real chance to stand out this spring. The two cornerbacks spent a lot of their time working with and spending time around each other, as they both get acclimated to learning from cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, who showed both the cornerbacks a lot of attention.
  • Sherrod Covil, Jr. was working with the safeties, of course. Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Mickey Conn was spending a considerable amount of time with the freshman, who is nicknamed “missile.”

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Taking inventory: Receiver

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead. With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand …

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead.

With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand with each as the offseason quickly approaches. Quarterback, running back and tight end have already been assessed.

Next up is receiver.

A quick note first: This is where things currently stand with Clemson’s personnel at receiver. With the one-time transfer rule and recruiting still in full effect, things are always subject to change. This story will be updated as needed to reflect any future modifications at the position.

2021 in review

Between D.J. Uiagalelei’s inconsistency, some drops and a wave of injuries, it was a season that was weaker than usual for the Tigers’ passing game and their receivers.

The year started on a high note for the group with Justyn Ross, Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr. — arguably Clemson’s top three wideouts — at full strength. Or at least close to it. Ross returned from the spinal fusion surgery that cost him all of last season while Ngata and Ladson dealt with nagging injuries that limited them a season ago.

But it didn’t last.

Ladson, who has since entered the transfer portal, sustained a season-ending groin injury in the first half of the season, leaving Ross and Ngata to carry the unit. While it wasn’t as productive as he’s used to, Ross had a solid return to the field given the circumstances. He still leads the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards and is tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches despite missing the last two games and change with a fractured foot.

Ngata has been Clemson’s most consistent big-play threat in what’s proven to be his best season in a Tiger uniform so far. Ngata has 438 receiving yards – second only to Ross – on just 23 catches, a team-best average of 19 yards per reception. But the injury bug has again taken a bite out of Ngata, who missed the last three games of the regular season with a foot injury.

Ross won’t play in the bowl game, so his Clemson career is over. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was more optimistic about Ngata’s chances of returning to play against Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl, though it’s not a guarantee. Ngata is out of the protective boot he wore late in the regular season.

E.J. Williams, who’s missed four games this season with numerous injuries, is back practicing, Swinney said. But all of the injuries at the position have forced Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins into more game reps than expected this season, and the true freshmen have taken advantage of them.

Beaux, who could also play in the slot but has gotten most of his reps on the outside, is second on the team with 28 catches. He’s posted two 100-yard games in the last four, including a career-high 137-yard day against Wake Forest. Dacari has eight of his 10 catches in the last three games.

Will Taylor is another freshman that showed promise before sustaining a season-ending knee injury five games in. He’s a prime slot candidate next season and also returned punts, duties that another receiver, Will Brown, took over after Taylor’s injury. Fellow freshman Troy Stellato, who’s been dealing with a bruised heel, is in line for a redshirt even if he plays in the bowl game.

Meanwhile, Brannon Spector missed all of this season because of injuries and COVID-19 complications but still has eligibility left. The mix of old and new will be tasked with replacing Clemson’s share of attrition at the position, and there are currently no shortage of options.

Who’s leaving?

Ross, Ladson, Ajou Ajou (transfer), Will Swinney 

Who’s staying?

Ngata, Williams, Beaux Collins, Dacari Collins, Taylor, Stellato, Spector

Who’s joining?

Clemson inked two in-state receivers in its 2022 recruiting class during the early signing period. The headliner is Myrtle Beach High standout Adam Randall, a consensus four-star prospect ranked as the nation’s No. 119 prospect in the 247Sports Composite.

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Randall, Williams were ‘born and groomed’ to play wideout at Clemson

Clemson’s two new wide receiver signees were destined to become Tigers and fulfilled that destiny when they inked with Dabo Swinney’s program on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period for college football. Not only are Adam Randall and …

Clemson’s two new wide receiver signees were destined to become Tigers and fulfilled that destiny when they inked with Dabo Swinney’s program on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period for college football.

Not only are Adam Randall and Antonio Williams both four-star recruits from the Palmetto State and each ranked as top-150 national prospects in the 2022 class, but they both wore No. 8 for their respective high school teams, and also share the same birthday – they were both born on July 14, 2004.

“I guess it was just a great day to be born to play wide receiver at Clemson because (Williams), not only is he from South Carolina, but he and Adam have the exact same birthday,” Swinney pointed out Wednesday during Clemson Football’s National Signing Day Show.

“So, they were both literally born – I guess that was ’04, holy cow – they were born and groomed to come play wideout for the Clemson Tigers.”

With the additions of Randall and Williams, Clemson signed two in-state wide receivers in a single class for the first time since 2011, when the Tigers signed Dorman’s Charone Peake and Adam Humphries – a duo that has gone on to combine for more than 325 receptions and more than 3,200 receiving yards in the NFL.

A product of Myrtle Beach High School, Randall will be Clemson’s first receiver from the Myrtle Beach area since Hunter Renfrow (2014-18), who began his storied Clemson career as a walk-on.

Randall, listed at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and possessing freakish athleticism, has garnered the nickname “Baby Julio” in comparison to star NFL wideout Julio Jones. Randall will continue to wear the No. 8 he donned in high school and will be the next player to sport that number for the Tigers, following Justyn Ross.

“They call him ‘Baby Julio,’” Swinney said. “He’s going to be No. 8. So, he’ll be taking Justyn Ross’s jersey, and y’all are going to feel like Justyn Ross grew a little bit. This is a big, big, strong man. Unbelievable player. One of the best kids.”

Randall, who committed to Clemson on Christmas Day 2020, plans to play in the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando in January and is expected to enroll at Clemson in January as well.

Randall was one of five finalists for Mr. Football in South Carolina and a first-team All-State 4A selection by the South Carolina Coaches Association as a senior this season, when he posted 1,267 receiving yards on 65 catches with 16 touchdowns. He played in the North-South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach and was a Shrine Bowl selection for South Carolina.

Randall helped Myrtle Beach to a state title in 2018 and a 12-1 record in 2021.

“Adam Randall comes from a phenomenal program in Myrtle Beach High School with Mickey Wilson, and so he’s well coached,” Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham said via Randall’s official Clemson bio. “He’s got great coaches. He also has great trainers he works with on the side. So, he’s always working on his craft. And what you’ll see is he’s a big-bodied receiver. Has a great frame, but he’s worked on his speed. So, he can outrun his competition, which is a deadly combination, that size and speed. But because of how well he’s coached, he’s a great route runner, can sink his hips, get in and out of his breaks with ease, can run any route you throw at him, and he also is able to go up and make the contested play. He’s a big-bodied guy – man, just throw it up and give him a chance. So, he can do it all.”

As for Williams, he was a late pickup for Clemson, which beat out South Carolina and Auburn among others to land his commitment on Dec. 9, just six days prior to the start of the early signing period.

Williams is a highly regarded player from Dutch Fork High School, where he was teammates with Clemson’s Will Taylor in 2020. Williams is ranked as a top-100 player nationally by ESPN, which considers him the No. 83 overall player in the nation, the ninth-best receiver and the third-best player in South Carolina.

Like Randall, Williams plans to play in the Under Armour All-America Game next month. He played on three state championship teams at Dutch Fork and lost only one game in his high school career, which saw him finish with 137 career catches for 2,458 yards and 23 touchdowns.

As a senior in 2021, Williams tallied 85 catches for 1,625 yards (including 10 100-yard receiving games) and 15 scores while helping Dutch Fork reach the state championship game and finish with a 12-1 record.

Williams plans to enroll at Clemson in summer of 2022.

“We’re excited about Antonio, man,” Grisham said via Williams’ official Clemson bio. “He comes from a phenomenal program in Dutch Fork, a winning program, and his skillset is phenomenal. He’s very versatile and can play the slot. He has great acceleration, short-area quickness, YAC (yards after catch) – definitely what we are looking for, too, from that slot position. But he also has good length. He can play outside at the field position, and phenomenal route runner. He has had phenomenal receiver coaches and has always worked on his craft. So, definitely excited to bring him into the wide receiver room.”

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