Collins stepping up when receivers need it most

Clemson has had to lean on a few more younger faces than usual this fall, including freshman wide receiver Dacari Collins. With their fair share of injuries, the Tigers have had more than 30 players on the injured list this year, the most recent …

Clemson has had to lean on a few more younger faces than usual this fall, including freshman wide receiver Dacari Collins. With their fair share of injuries, the Tigers have had more than 30 players on the injured list this year, the most recent being wide receiver Justyn Ross, who sustained a foot injury in Clemson’s 44-7 win over UConn.

Despite the number of injuries that seem to continue piling up, freshman Dacari Collins has chosen to take advantage of his opportunity in the wide receiver group and rise to the occasion.

“What it means for me, I just have to step up and be ready,” Collins told the media on Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve been preparing and working my butt off every day. I’m grateful for the opportunity, so I’m just going to go out there and compete.”

For Collins, the opportunity to be a difference maker in his first season has been surreal, something that has allowed the Atlanta-native to grow up quick and step up in a big way.

“It’s surreal. You grow up quick and the thing is that when you get here, they prepare you to be ready, so there’s really no bad thing if somebody goes down or somebody has to step up,” Collins said. “That person should be able to execute and do the same things as the last person.”

And execute is just what Collins did in his breakout performance against UConn last weekend. Collins, who saw limited action prior to Saturday’s matchup, led the Tigers in receptions with six catches for 97 yards. A feat Collin’s credits to having a next man up mentality.

“Just being ready, just a next man up mentality,” Collins said. “You never know when something can happen, so just always being prepared and trying to be ready. Like over the years just getting in the game a few plays, just taking that in, practicing hard, all that’s just translating to helping me be better when it’s my time.”

With Saturday’s big performance under his belt, Collins is ready now more than ever to continue showing out on the field and become “that guy” for the Tigers at receiver.

“It showed that I am myself and I am who I am,” Collins said. “I know that I can compete and that’s what I plan to do.”

Clemson hosts No. 12 Wake Forest for its last home game of the 2021 season in celebration of Senior Day and Hall of Fame Day. Kickoff is slated for noon on ESPN.

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Analysts react to Clemson’s win over UConn

Clemson defeated UConn, 44-7, on Saturday at Death Valley to extend its school record for both the longest home winning streak and longest home unbeaten streak in school history (as well as extend the nation’s longest active home winning streak). On …

Clemson defeated UConn, 44-7, on Saturday at Death Valley to extend its school record for both the longest home winning streak and longest home unbeaten streak in school history (as well as extend the nation’s longest active home winning streak).

On The Huddle on the ACC Network, the network’s analysts reacted to the Tigers’ win that improved their record to 7-3 on the season.

Of course, one of the topics of conversation was Will Swinney’s 6-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal in the first quarter that gave the Tigers their first lead of the game at 10-7.

“How ’bout Will Swinney getting in there … the big man on campus, scoring a touchdown,” former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain said.

“Probably going to be the next head coach of the Tigers when it’s all said and done,” Mac Lain added jokingly.

“He’s going to have to wait about 25 years,” former Georgia and Miami head coach Mark Richt quipped back.

Richt discussed the performance of Clemson sophomore quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who went 21-of-44 passing for a season-high 241 passing yards and threw for a touchdown with one interception.

“Incrementally, he’s getting better and better,” Richt said. “We kind of thought at one time there’d be this Eureka moment where all of a sudden he’d look like he did last year. It hasn’t been that way, but it’s been little by little, he’s getting better and better, which is a good sign.”

With multiple members of Clemson’s receiving corps banged up with injuries, freshmen wideouts Dacari and Beaux Collins stepped up to carry the load against UConn.

Dacari posted career highs with six receptions for 97 yards, while Beaux caught a 32-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, giving him a touchdown catch in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.

“It was good to see him (Uiagalelei) get involved with Beaux Collins, Dacari Collins — these young cats that he has just such a great relationship with, it seems like,” Mac Lain said. “And when you have that, when you feel good about throwing to your guy, good plays happen.”

Clemson will play its final home game of the season this Saturday when the Tigers host Wake Forest (9-1) for Senior Day. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon on ESPN.

“Don’t count out this Clemson squad for the Atlantic Race and possibility to get into the conference championship representing the Atlantic,” The Huddle host Jordan Cornette said. “They’re not out of this thing. Far from his best start for D.J. U today vs. UConn, but showing some life and still moments there.”

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Dacari Collins takes advantage of opportunity out wide with career day

Beaux Collins got his chance to shine last week. On Saturday, it was Clemson’s other receiver with the same last name that got an opportunity. He didn’t let it go to waste. Dacari Collins got in on the action out wide in his most extended playing …

Beaux Collins got his chance to shine last week. On Saturday, it was Clemson’s other receiver with the same last name that got an opportunity.

He didn’t let it go to waste.

Dacari Collins got in on the action out wide in his most extended playing time of the season and turned it into a career day. Dacari led the Tigers in receptions (6) and yards (97) in their 44-7 win over Connecticut at Memorial Stadium, both season-highs for the true freshman.

He was also the most targeted receiver for D.J. Uiagalelei and Taisun Phommachanh with 13 passes thrown his way. Clemson needed it on a day when the depth at that position was further depleted.

“Dacari is really starting to come on,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s kind of growing into it, which is great. … I thought he stepped in and did a great job for us.”

Beaux and Dacari each saw their roles increase in the Tigers’ win at Louisville last week. Beaux had his own career day out of the slot against the Cardinals, and Dacari got more reps than anticipated when Joseph Ngata left in the second half with a foot injury that will keep him out at least a couple of weeks.

Ngata’s injury meant more snaps on the outside for Justyn Ross, who’s played primarily in the slot this season, but Ross was injured late in the first quarter against UConn. He went out with a lower leg injury after being tackled at the tail end of his third and final reception and didn’t return.

It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing performance for the offense, particularly Uiagalelei, who completed just 21 of 44 passes with a touchdown and an interception in less than three quarters. The Tigers also averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, but Dacari, who had just two catches coming in, provided the offense with some explosion.

He hauled in a 23-yard grab to keep the offense on the field during the Tigers’ first touchdown drive late in the first quarter. With Clemson driving again early in the second quarter, Phommachanh came in the game with the Tigers on UConn’s side of midfield and targeted a one-on-one matchup for Dacari, who adjusted to the back-shoulder throw and came down with a 33-yard reception to set up another touchdown.

“I think his confidence has really, really grown. A game like today is going to do that kid great wonders,” Swinney said. “I thought the way he played last week was a spark for us. Just played though. Played competitive. Played fast. And you see that in practice, so it’s good to see him take it to the game field.”

Clemson’s offense continued to try to use the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder’s size and length to its advantage. Uiagalelei again looked for Dacari in the red zone on the Tigers’ first possession of the third quarter, lofting a pass in his direction near the goal line. Dacari drew a pass-interference penalty after being shoved out of bounds, and Phil Mafah punched it in from 2 yards out on the next play to give Clemson a 37-7 lead.

Dacari didn’t play much after that as the Tigers emptied their bench in the lopsided victory, but it was enough to provide another glimpse into the future out wide for the Tigers.

“Fall in love with the process,” Dacari said. “Coach Swinney is big on trusting the process, and just be patient. That’s what I’ve been doing is working, and I’m just going to continue to work and get better.”

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The 411 on Clemson’s rout of UConn

Clemson started slow before breezing past Connecticut on Saturday at Memorial Stadium to improve to 7-3 overall on the season. Here are four sequences that went a long way toward deciding the outcome, a turning point and a telling stat from the …

Clemson started slow before breezing past Connecticut on Saturday at Memorial Stadium to improve to 7-3 overall on the season. Here are four sequences that went a long way toward deciding the outcome, a turning point and a telling stat from the Tigers’ 44-7 win.

  • UConn took a lead before many of the 77,522 fans in attendance had a chance to settle into their seats when Brian Brewton dropped the opening kickoff near the goal line before outracing the Tigers’ coverage team for a 99-yard touchdown. Clemson converted three fourth downs on its opening possession to take some momentum back on B.T. Potter’s 49-yard field goal. Clemson then turned to some trickeration on its second drive when Dacari Collins’ dropped pass in the end zone left the Tigers facing fourth-and-goal from UConn’s 6-yard line. The Tigers sent the field-goal team back on the field, but Will Swinney took the snap and faked a hold for Potter before scampering through the middle for a touchdown that gave Clemson its first lead with 3 minutes, 3 seconds left in the opening quarter.
  • Taisun Phommachanh made his first appearance midway through the Tigers’ third possession with Clemson driving near midfield after a pass-interference penalty. Clemson’s backup carried on his first two snaps for a combined 13 yards before pulling up for a pass. He connected with Collins down the sideline for a 33-yard gain, moving Clemson to the Huskies’ 3. Phommachanh kept on a zone read on the Tigers’ next play and raced around the right end for the capper on a six-play, 66-yard scoring drive that extended Clemson’s lead to 17-7 with 14:31 left in the second quarter.
  • UConn was set up with prime field position early in the second quarter when Stan Cross intercepted Uiagalelei at the Tigers’ 40. But the defense got the ball back to the offense four plays later when Myles Murphy broke through the line to drop UConn’s Kevin Mensah short of the line to gain on fourth-and-3. The Tigers drove down for another 49-yard field goal from Potter, and the offense was quickly back in business at the Huskies’ 17 when Mario Goodrich intercepted Jack Zergiotis on UConn’s next possession. Uiagalelei missed a wide-open Collins in the end zone before Beaux Collins dropped what would’ve been a touchdown over the middle, but another Potter field goal — this one from 30 yards out — pushed Clemson’s lead to 23-7 with 6:30 left before halftime.
  • Clemson snuffed out UConn’s surprise onside kick to start the second half, setting the Tigers’ offense up at UConn’s 46. Eleven plays later — with the help of Uiagalelei’s fourth-down conversion run and pass interference on UConn near the goal line — Clemson was in the end zone again on Phil Mafah’s 2-yard run, extending its lead to 37-7 before emptying the bench the rest of the way.

Turning point

It wasn’t the prettiest first half for Uiagalelei and the rest of Clemson’s offense, which found the end zone just twice in the first two quarters against the nation’s No. 119 scoring defense. Before taking over at their own 12 with just 49 seconds left in the half, Uiagalelei had thrown eight straight incompletions and the Tigers had gone three-and-out on three straight possessions. But Uiagalelei found a bit of a groove on Clemson’s final possession of the second quarter, completing passes of 8, 19 and 29 yards to quickly move the Tigers into UConn territory. Uiagalelei then found Beaux Collins with perhaps his best throw of the half two plays later, dropping one in the breadbasket to the freshman receiver near the front corner of the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown that put Clemson up three scores at the half, more than enough of a cushion given the way Clemson’s defense suffocated the Huskies from the start.

Telling stat: -17

That was UConn’s final rushing total. It’s easily the fewest rushing yards allowed by Clemson this season and the fifth-fewest the Tigers have ever yielded. The Tigers swallowed up UConn’s leading rusher, Nate Carter (19 yards on five carries), and recorded six sacks of the Huskies’ quarterbacks, who were under constant pressure against Clemson’s various defensive looks. UConn’s offense drove into Clemson territory just once in 16 possessions in large part because the Huskies were routinely behind the chains. Simply put, they were no match for Clemson up front. 

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Smart: Clemson’s receivers a ‘matchup problem’

Georgia’s physically imposing defensive line has been a talking point among Clemson’s coaches and players leading up Saturday’s marquee opener, but it’s not the only position group grabbing the opponent’s attention with its size. It’s been hard for …

Georgia’s physically imposing defensive line has been a talking point among Clemson’s coaches and players leading up Saturday’s marquee opener, but it’s not the only position group grabbing the opponent’s attention with its size.

It’s been hard for Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his team not to notice the  collective stature of Clemson’s receiving corps, which features a bevvy of tall, fast and physical players.

“They are a matchup problem,” Smart said.

The 2021 version of Clemson’s wideouts fits the mold of the prototypical receiver the Tigers have fed into the program during Dabo Swinney’s tenure — athletic, rangy and big-bodied. Justyn Ross is the headliner at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, but the list is long at one of the deeper positions on Clemson’s roster.

“It’s kind of like our running back room,” Swinney said. “I love the depth we have there.”

Sophomore Joseph Ngata, a former five-star recruit primed for his biggest role yet in Clemson’s offense, goes 6-3 and 220 pounds while Ajou Ajou has the same measurables. Frank Ladson Jr. is 6-3 and 205 pounds. E.J. Williams is easily the lightest among the Tigers’ top five receivers at 195 pounds, but the sophomore is just as tall as nearly everyone else at the position at 6-3.

Freshmen Dacari Collins and Beaux Collins blended in well when the four star-signees joined the program in January. Dacari goes 6-4 and 215 pounds while Beaux is listed at 6-3 and 205 pounds. Troy Stellato is the shortest of the freshmen receiver class at 6-1.

Swinney said there’s not one among the group that he doesn’t trust to win most one-on-one matchups whenever Clemson’s receivers are isolated on a defensive back.

“All of them have made plays. I’d chunk it up to any of them,” Swinney said. “They’ve all had their moments.”

How often Clemson’s receivers find themselves on an island Saturday remains to be seen. But Smart said he likes the way Georgia’s secondary matches up against the Tigers’ size in coverage.

Three of the Bulldogs’ top corners are 6-2 or taller. Senior Ameer Speed (6-3) and freshman Kelee Ringo (6-2) are duking it out for the starting corner job opposite former Clemson defensive back Derion Kendrick, Georgia’s smallest corner at 6-0 and 190 pounds. Georgia’s projected starting nickel back, Latavious Brini, goes 6-2 and 210 pounds.

Still, Smart said the ability of Clemson’s receivers to win 50-50 balls is a concern, and the kind of physical presence the Tigers’ wideouts present when blocking on the perimeter isn’t something Georgia’s defensive backs have seen much of when going good on good during practice. LSU transfer receiver Arik Gilbert (6-5, 248) has taken a personal leave of absence and didn’t go through fall camp. Neither did the Bulldogs’ top wideout, Georgia Pickens (6-3, 200), who’s working his way back from a torn ACL and is likely out for Saturday’s game.

Smart said he’s had his defensive backs go up against Georgia’s tight ends in an attempt to simulate what they’re going to see from Clemson’s receivers in all facets.

“Getting on and off blocks is critical in every football game, but it’s really critical to this game because we know the spread element, the perimeter screens, the ball out quick,” Smart said. “You’ve got to be able to tackle and be able to get off blocks, and those big guys make that hard to do.”

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Elliott provides returns on freshmen wideouts, which guys are standing out beyond Ross

It’s game week and Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliot spent his Monday afternoon fielding questions for reporters as his offense prepares for Saturday’s marquee matchup against Georgia. Elliott was asked about Clemson’s freshman wide …

It’s game week and Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliot spent his Monday afternoon fielding questions for reporters as his offense prepares for Saturday’s marquee matchup against Georgia.

Elliott was asked about Clemson’s freshman wide receivers, now that he’s been able to watch them throughout the duration of fall camp and into this week of practice.

He provided returns on Troy Stellato, Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins.

Elliot was asked first about Stellato, who is a bit behind the eight ball. He arrived this summer and is clearly still picking up the playbook.

“Starting with Troy, (he) came in during the summer and was behind the Collins’ boys,” Elliott said. “Very talented. The biggest thing for him is picking up the offense. The first time through, he’s still swimming. Things are moving around. [I’m] very pleased with his ability, we just got to get him to the point where he can function on his own as opposed to

As opposed to Beaux and Dacari, who have been on Clemson’s campus since the spring.

“They’re big guys that are athletic, can run, can play multiple spots for us,” Elliott said. “Great after the catch kind of guys, also can go up and get the high points. I think they fall right in line with the many of the wideouts that we’ve had here.”

Additionally, at the other end of the spectrum, Elliott was asked about Justyn Ross and what the returns have been for Clemson’s No. 1 receiver since he’s returned to the fold after finally being medically cleared.

“You can tell that Ross is working his tail off,” he added. “He looks explosive and also you can tell that he’s putting in work from a knowledge standpoint too. You’re able to jump right in and just go function and he hasn’t practiced in a formal setting in about a year now.”

Outside of Ross, has anyone started to separate themselves in the wide receiver room?

“Frank (Ladson, Jr.) has had a good camp. (Joseph) Ngata is starting to come on, you’re starting to see what we thought we had in Joe,” Elliot said. “And then Ajou, Ajou is a guy we talk about a lot. He’s made tremendous, tremendous strides. Sometimes you put on the tape and you’re like, ‘Wow that was Ajou.” Just the nuances and the details are starting to emerge now that he has a better understanding of the scheme and he can play technically a little more sound.”

Elliot almost forgot E.J. Williams.

“You just kind of take E.J. for granted, but E.J. is very similar to Ross,” Elliott added. “He’s been a guy that’s been a putty guy for us. We’ve moved him around, put him in different spots and he’s handled that well. He’s electric…can make the acrobatic catches and he’s a physical guy too. That’s what I like about E.J., is that he might not be the biggest guy, but he’ll put his nose in there on the perimeter. I think he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be like a given…He’s had a great camp.”

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Clemson’s receiving corps striving for more versatility

It’s not often that wide receivers are compared to offensive linemen, but Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did just that this week. Of course, it had nothing to do with physical stature even if some of the Tigers’ wideouts are just as tall as their …

It’s not often that wide receivers are compared to offensive linemen, but Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did just that this week.

Of course, it had nothing to do with physical stature even if some of the Tigers’ wideouts are just as tall as their teammates up front. It had everything to do with the versatility of the group.

“Kind of like the o-line, we’ve cross-trained a lot of guys,” Swinney said.

A deep receiver corps has gotten even deeper heading into the season with the return of Clemson’s No. 1 wideout, Justyn Ross, who’s healthy again after missing all of last season after undergoing corrective spinal fusion surgery. Having Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr. back at full tilt helps, too.

Throw in sophomores E.J. Williams and Ajou Ajou as well as true freshmen Dacari Collins, Beaux Collins and Troy Stellato, and Clemson has no shortage of options for its three receiver spots. For most of them, that has meant reps at multiple positions in order for the Tigers to get their best three receivers on the field at any given time.

Ngata was the projected starter at the 9, or boundary (short side), position last season, but an abdominal injury limited his snaps and forced Clemson to move Cornell Powell from the 2, or field (wide side), position. Ladson was the primary option at the 2 until injuries also slowed him down last season, which prompted Amari Rogers to move from the 5, or slot, to the outside.

Rodgers and Powell were the Tigers’ leading receivers last season and are now trying to earn roster spots as NFL rookies. Yet that’s hardly been a talking point for Clemson with everything it’s brought back at the position.

Ross, Clemson’s leader in receiving yards (2018) and receptions (2019) his first two seasons with the program, has played primarily on the outside when he’s been healthy, but Swinney said in the spring the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder would play all three positions this fall. Swinney went as far to say that Ross would start in the slot if Clemson had to play a game then, so don’t be surprised to see Ross line up on the inside often as the Tigers try to find more ways to create mismatches for their big-bodied wideout.

The same goes for Ladson, Williams and Ngata, whom Swinney said is back practicing after battling a hamstring injury that caused him to miss both of Clemson’s fall scrimmages. Ajou, who’s in line for a bigger role after being largely buried on the depth chart as a true freshman last season (two catches), has been getting reps with the first- and second-teamers primarily at the 9, Swinney said, but the Tigers aren’t planning to keep many of their receivers in the same place too often.

“I feel good about (Ajou), but we’ve moved a lot of guys around,” Swinney said. “A lot of 2s. A lot of 5s. So I feel good about our versatility at the receiver position and the ability to, if we need to, move guys around.”

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

A closer look: Clemson’s receivers vs. Georgia’s secondary

With Clemson’s mammoth opener against Georgia less than two weeks away, The Clemson Insider is going to spend some time taking a closer look at some of the position matchups that could go a long way in determining the outcome of that Sept. 4 clash …

With Clemson’s mammoth opener against Georgia less than two weeks away, The Clemson Insider is going to spend some time taking a closer look at some of the position matchups that could go a long way in determining the outcome of that Sept. 4 clash at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Next up is Clemson’s receivers against Georgia’s secondary. TCI previously analyzed matchups between the Tigers’ offensive line and the Bulldogs’ defensive front and vice versa.

Note: If only one number is listed in parentheses beside a player’s name, that means that player hasn’t started a game. The number listed is how many career games he has played. If no numbers are listed for a player, he has yet to play a game.

Clemson’s projected receiver rotation: Justyn Ross, Jr (29 games played, 14 starts); Joseph Ngata, Jr (22, 3); Frank Ladson Jr., Jr (25, 4); E.J. Williams, Soph (12, 4); Ajou Ajou, Soph (10); Brannon Spector, Soph (14, 1); Dacari Collins, Fr; Beaux Collins, Fr

A deep receiving corps added more depth and an injection of top-line talent with the return of Ross, who received full medical clearance earlier this summer following his corrective spinal fusion surgery that cost him all of the 2020 season.

A 6-foot-4, 205-pound wideout with the speed and ball skills to boot, Ross is a first-round talent with big-play capabilities when he’s at full tilt as shown by his 1,865 receiving yards and 17 scoring grabs in his first two seasons at Clemson. Ross missed the first week of fall camp going through COVID-19 protocols, so will less than three weeks of full contact be enough to have him up to speed for his first game action in more than a year?

According to Ross, it will, and the early returns on his practice reps have been positive. But it’s not like Ross is the only wideout Georgia will have to game plan for.

Like Ross, Ngata is a former five-star recruit while Ladson drew rave reviews from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney for his camp performance. Both are expected to take on larger roles within the offense this fall after combining for just 51 career catches so far as long as they can stay healthy, which has already been a recurring issue for Ngata. He battled a hamstring injury during camp and missed both of the Tigers’ scrimmages, though Swinney said late last week Ngata was close to being back at full speed.

Williams is another potential breakout candidate for the Tigers after stepping in to make four starts as a true freshman and finishing last season with 24 catches. The same could be said for Ajou, who coaches and teammates are high on. Dacari Collins and Beaux Collins were both four-star signees who were also mentioned as playmakers during camp, so offensive coordinator Tony Elliott has no shortage of options and lineups to play with out wide.  

Georgia’s projected starting defensive backs

CB Derion Kendrick, Sr. (24, 23 at Clemson the last two seasons)

SS Christopher Smith, Sr (29, 5)

FS Lewis Cine, Jr (24, 12)

CB Ameer Speed, Sr (35) or Kelee Ringo, RFr

NICKEL Latavious Brini, Sr (17, 1)

Clemson’s receivers are already somewhat familiar with what the Bulldogs have to offer in the secondary — and vice versa — with Kendrick now suiting up for the Bulldogs. An all-ACC first-team selection last season, Kendrick spent the previous three seasons at Clemson before being dismissed from the team and landing at Georgia, where he’ll line up against the receivers he used to practice against on a daily basis.

Kendrick is joining a secondary that isn’t exactly green. Every projected starter on the Bulldogs’ back end is an upperclassmen with three of them being seniors, including Speed, who will likely step into a starting role for the first time at the other corner spot after spending most of his first four seasons in Athens as a special-teams contributor.

Georgia added even more experience to the group in West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith. An AP All-American last season, Smith has been heavily in the mix for the starting job at nickel, but he recently sustained a foot injury that required surgery and likely won’t be available for the opener.

That would put Brini at the top of the depth chart there by default, though he’s not a newbie either. Cine, a preseason all-SEC pick at safety, started every game last season while Smith started the last five.

The matchup

This one is interesting for a few reasons.

First, the units have similar experience in that both at least have at least one player (Ross for Clemson and Kendrick and Cine for Georgia) with a season’s worth of starting experience and a bunch of others that have been biding their time. And then there’s the size. A lot of it.

The majority of Clemson’s receivers are at least 6-3 with Dacari Collins being the tallest at 6-5. Ross has gotten most of his game reps at the boundary and field positions, but Clemson plans to use him in the slot this season as well to try to find more mismatches for him.

Yet if there’s a secondary that has the height to match up well with that, it’s Georgia’s. Kendrick isn’t exactly a short corner at 6-0, but he’s on the lower end compared to Speed (6-3), Ringo (6-2) and Brini (6-2).

And with Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei in line to make just his third career start, what’s the Bulldogs’ plan of attack against him? Do they sell out to stop the run and try to make the young signal caller beat them? Or will they be more hesitant to do that given the way Uiagalelei lit it up in the two starts he made last season, including more than 400 yards passing and no turnovers at Notre Dame?

The answer is likely somewhere in the middle, though some success from Clemson’s running game would go a long way in possibly forcing Georgia to commit another defender or two to the box and create more one-on-one matchups on the outside. In all likelihood, though, Clemson’s wideouts will see a mix of man and zone coverages.

The Tigers have the athletes on the outside to win against just about anything they get. Georgia could argue the same. Finding the most advantageous matchups — Clemson’s speed isolated on a safety, perhaps? — could determine which wins more often.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

5 freshmen set to make an immediate impact

With Clemson’s Sept. 4 opener against Georgia just two weeks away, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and his staff will soon start honing in on depth chart decisions, which includes which true freshmen they believe will be able to help immediately. With …

With Clemson’s Sept. 4 opener against Georgia just two weeks away, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and his staff will soon start honing in on depth chart decisions, which includes which true freshmen they believe will be able to help immediately.

With spring practices and fall camp in the books, the Tigers have gotten good feedback on which newcomers will be able to be season-long contributors and which may play four games and keep their redshirts. Swinney said that’s subject to change based on circumstances surrounding the season, but, for now, some freshmen are ahead of others.

With that said, here are five true freshmen who are primed to be significant contributors this season based on practice observations and interviews with coaches and players over the last two weeks.

Will Shipley

Simply put, Shipley is too special of a talent to keep watching from the sideline for long.

Shipley has created all sorts of buzz since arriving on campus in January as an early enrollee, and it’s only grown louder during camp. The thing that has his coaches and teammates talking the most? Speed.

The youngster has more of it than any other running back on the roster. In fact, there’s a debate between some of his teammates as to whether or not Shipley is already the fastest player on the team (offensive lineman Jordan McFadden thinks so, but fellow running back Lyn-J Dixon isn’t so sure). 

“Shipley can fly,” senior safety Nolan Turner said. “That’s obvious.”

But that’s not the only impressive quality Shipley possesses. Swinney has often discussed Shipley’s advanced level of maturity for his age and his natural leadership skills. He’s already been mentioned as one of the Tigers’ leaders, and he hasn’t even played a down of college football.

Like many young running backs, pass protection could go a long way in determining how big Shipley’s role is in his first year, but it’s clear the five-star recruit is going to have one. It didn’t take long for Shipley to start getting first-team reps in practice. He’s been used out of the backfield as a receiver, and he’s also taken some reps as a punt returner.

“He’s not like a typical freshman,” Swinney said. “It’s pretty easy to see.”

Barrett Carter

Another one of Clemson’s five-star signees, Carter has flashed his athleticism on several occasions, including once early in camp during a portion of practice open to the media.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder snagged a one-handed interception along the sideline and got a foot down inbounds to make the pick official. Carter was listed as an athlete coming out of North Gwinnett (Georgia) High but has been repping at both mike and sam/nickelback linebacker. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables also isn’t ruling out lining Carter up at safety at some point, though that’s not a priority.

“I think he’s pretty smooth,” Venables said. “We haven’t lined him up (at safety). Some guys, you say, ‘No, definitely not.’ I wouldn’t be able to say that right now. But he’s been good. He’s been very comfortable with where he’s at.”

Carter is not only versatile but has elite speed to go with it. Coaches have also been impressed with his coverage ability and the mental capacity to quickly pick up Venables’ defense, which could get Carter on the field sooner rather than later, particularly in certain packages.

“Barrett is what we thought he was,” Swinney said. “Smooth. Fast. Going to be a really good player.”

Marcus Tate

It’s typically hard for first-year offensive linemen to find playing time given the physical and mental demands of the position, but Tate went through spring practice as a mid-year enrollee and has continued to progress to the point where he’ll likely see the field this fall.

And it could be a lot.

Tate was one of three high school offensive linemen to sign with Clemson this past year, and while five-star tackle Tristan Leigh was the headliner, it’s Tate who got the most significant work during camp. Tate could also play tackle but has been getting first- and second-team reps inside.

“As far as just prospects and what you’d hope they’d look like walking in out of high school, they’re two great-looking young players,” Swinney said in reference to Tate and Leigh.

Specifically, Tate has gotten many of the first-team reps at left guard when Matt Bockhorst has worked at center. If the Tigers feel like Bockhorst sliding over to center gets their best five offensive linemen on the field, Swinney has said that’s a move they won’t hesitate to make.

And based on the kind of reps the 6-5, 290-pounder has gotten during camp, Tate is one of the leading candidates to plug in beside him if that’s the direction Clemson decides to go.

Andrew Mukuba

Mukuba, another early enrollee, was limited by an arm injury this spring, but the first-year defensive back was back healthy during fall camp and hard to miss.

“He’s a guy you just notice all the time,” Swinney said.

Venables said Mukuba is rarely out of position thanks in large part to his anticipation skills and closing speed. Perhaps most importantly for the Tigers, the 6-0, 185-pounder has the ability to use that at different positions.

Mukuba is listed as a safety on the team’s official roster but has also gotten some reps at corner. With just six corners on scholarship, Clemson could look to Mukuba to play more on the outside in his first year with the program.

Regardless of where it is, though, Mukuba he has the versatility and smarts to contribute somewhere.

“He’s got plenty of things that he’s got to get better at, but playing outside and inside, I’ve been super pleased with where he’s at, especially mentally so far with what he’s seeing,” Venables said.

Nate Wiggins

Wiggins certainly has some physical tools as a cornerback, but this is more of a depth pick.

As previously mentioned, Clemson only has six scholarship players for its three corner spots — nickel included — and Wiggins is one of them. And depending on whether or not Fred Davis’ punishment for his reckless driving charge includes missing any game time, Wiggins could become a more significant part of the rotation sooner rather than later.

As for those physical attributes, Wiggins is the tallest corner on the roster at 6-2, which makes it harder for receivers to get separation and easier for Wiggins to recover when they do. And he has Dixon’s vote as the fastest player on the team. 

Booth said he’s also seen improvement from Wiggins in terms of understanding the defensive concepts since Wiggins arrived on campus in January.

“Athletically he’s fast. Quick,” Booth said. “He just needs to get that technical side down.”

*BONUS PICK*

Dacari Collins

Receiver is one of the deeper positions on Clemson’s roster, so it’s hard to envision any newcomers becoming a significant piece of the rotation if the Tigers can stay healthy there. But that’s a big if.

Joseph Ngata, who missed most of last season with an abdominal injury, was slowed by a hamstring injury in camp and didn’t participate in either of Clemson’s two scrimmages. Swinney said Ngata is getting closer to a return, but should the injury bug persist with Ngata or any other wideouts (fellow freshmen Troy Stellato and Beaux Collins were also banged up some during camp), keep an eye out for Dacari Collins, a four-star signee.

Dacari is the tallest in a room full of tall, big-bodied wideouts at 6-5, and Swinney said Dacari has taken advantage of other receivers being held out of the scrimmages. Swinney noted a “big play” Dacari made in the most recent one.

Ngata, Justyn Ross, Frank Ladson Jr., E.J. Williams and Ajou Ajou may be ahead of Dacari in the pecking order, but his height and physicality may be a combination Clemson tries to utilize in certain parts of the field, the red zone being one.

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Young, old Tigers got better in camp

Now that the Clemson Tigers have wrapped up preseason camp, they will begin the process of turning their attention on No. 5 Georgia, who they will meet to open the 2021 season on Sept. 4 in Charlotte. But there is still a little work to be done …

Now that the Clemson Tigers have wrapped up preseason camp, they will begin the process of turning their attention on No. 5 Georgia, who they will meet to open the 2021 season on Sept. 4 in Charlotte.

But there is still a little work to be done before the Georgia game.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says the Tigers will do a little bit of work on the Bulldogs this coming Wednesday and Thursday, but they will open the week continuing to work on themselves.

They are still looking for a new center, a competition that has three guys battling it out in Matt Bockhorst, Hunter Rayburn and Mason Trotter. They are also not closer to naming a starting running back, as Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace and Will Shipley continue to share first-team reps.

Also, it appears freshman Will Taylor continues to prove he might be an option for the Tigers at backup quarterback.

What does it all mean?

It means Clemson used all of its time in camp to improve and become a much better football team than it was at the start of camp 18 days ago.

“I think we have several guys that fit that category, that early on there was a lot going on,” Swinney said. “But we improved. There is nobody in particular that I am disappointed in or anything like that. I think all these guys have put the work in. We have good self-awareness.

“We have some that are further along than others, but I do think that everybody has made some improvements over the last 16 days.”

One of the freshmen Swinney was happy to see get better was wide receiver Dacari Collins, who the Clemson coach thought hit a brick wall during camp.

“I thought Decari went down hill a little. I thought he hit that freshman wall,” Swinney said. “It was good to see him bounce back the last couple of days. He has had a good couple of days. He had a big play in the scrimmage (Thursday), so he is a young guy (that has improved).”

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