Tag: Dacari Collins

Offense cleans it up in Clemson’s final scrimmage

The first scrimmage of Clemson’s fall camp over the weekend wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing display from the offense. By all accounts, the Tigers’ veteran defense had a lot to do with that, but the offense didn’t exactly do itself many …

The first scrimmage of Clemson’s fall camp over the weekend wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing display from the offense.

By all accounts, the Tigers’ veteran defense had a lot to do with that, but the offense didn’t exactly do itself many favors. Specifically, head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator lamented a number of penalties that reached double digits and botched snaps that left the unit playing behind the chains far too often.

In Clemson’s second and final scrimmage Thursday, the offense cleaned up its act.

“Much better,” Swinney said. “I think we went from 10 penalties to two, and we had no bad snaps. We had a couple with our third group, our Pride group. But the guys that we know we’re going to count on to go play in a couple of weeks, they were excellent today. Right on point and right where they needed to be.”

Highlighted by the return of star receiver Justyn Ross, who took live hits for the first time since undergoing corrective spinal fusion surgery earlier this year, the offense produced its share of explosive plays. Ross was in on some of those. Fellow wideout Joseph Ngata was held out again with a hamstring injury, but Swinney said freshman receiver Dacari Collins had a “big play.” Even the tailbacks ripped off some runs that impressed their head coach.

Outside of a dropped pass here and there, Swinney said he was largely pleased with the offense’s execution as a whole.

“Just wanted to see us improve,” Swinney said. “You get two scrimmages, and I thought the guys that needed to improve, they did just that. And the guys that we wanted to see some consistency from, I think we saw that as well.”

Most importantly, Swinney said his team got out of its last full day of contact without any significant injuries popping up.

“It’s been 16 straight days we’ve been going. We’ve gotten a lot done,” Swinney said. “These next couple of days for us is about really just kind of mentally and physically resetting, recharging and refueling a little bit. We’ll come back Sunday afternoon and get back up.”

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Clemson’s receiving corps could ‘most definitely’ be one of nation’s best

Talking to a hoard of reporters before Clemson’s first practice, Dabo Swinney advised the assembled gathering to take a picture of the Tigers’ wide receivers at some point during fall camp. “Because, man, this is a really talented group,” Clemson’s …

Talking to a hoard of reporters before Clemson’s first practice, Dabo Swinney advised the assembled gathering to take a picture of the Tigers’ wide receivers at some point during fall camp.

“Because, man, this is a really talented group,” Clemson’s head coach said. “There are all at different stages as far as where they’re going in their careers, but if you look back at that picture in six years, I think you’re going to be pretty impressed with what these guys end up doing if the Lord keeps them healthy.”

Not every team in college football can lose its two leading receivers and not skip much of a beat, but that’s exactly what the Tigers are expecting to do at the position this fall.

“I feel like we can be one of the top receiver groups in the country,” junior wideout Justyn Ross said. “Most definitely.”

The confidence in what the group still has on the roster stems from a blend of veteran playmakers and young potential. Despite losing Amari Rogers and Cornell Powell, who combined for 130 catches last season before taking their talents to the NFL, Clemson is still oozing with depth and talent at the position.

Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr. are former blue-chip recruits who will be looking to take the next step in their development. E.J. Williams showed promise in snagging 24 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman last season. Fellow sophomore Ajou Ajou has received praise for his performance in camp so far and could see his role increase.

Throw in true freshmen Beaux Collins, Dacari Collins and Troy Stellato, and the Tigers have no shortage of sizable options out wide. Stellato is the shortest of the group at 6-foot-1.

“We need all the depth we can get,” offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. “It’s a long season. We’re at our best when we can play fast and we can roll those guys.”

Of course, the headliner is Ross, who proved to be one of college football’s best receivers his first two seasons in the program. He caught more than 1,800 yards worth of passes with 17 touchdown grabs before missing all of last season after having corrective spine fusion surgery.

Ross was recently given full medical clearance and practiced for the first time Friday after finishing COVID-19 protocols. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei said the value of the 6-4, 205-pounder’s return to Clemson’s offense doesn’t have to be explained.

“I think the whole world knows what Justyn Ross brings,” Uiagalelei said. “I think he’s the best receiver in the country. Justyn Ross is Justyn Ross. I think that speaks for itself.”

Staying healthy will be key for Ross if the group is going to reach its full potential, and he’s not the only one. Injuries limited Ngata and Ladson at times last season as the duo combined for just 25 receptions, but Swinney doesn’t have much doubt about their physical abilities.

“If they’re available, the rest will take care of itself,” Swinney said. “I promise you.”

With all of the receivers available in fall camp, the Tigers are cross-training many of them at different positions. Being able to line up different combinations in the slot, the boundary and the field helps maximize the group’s versatility as it works to meet its own lofty expectations.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!