Tag: Garrett Riley

Clemson is the top-ranked ACC team in College Football News’ preseason top 25

CFN has Clemson as the top dog in the ACC heading into the 2023 season.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers head into the 2023 season with varying opinions on how good of a team they will be and whether they will remain atop the ACC as the conference’s top team.

Right now, the popular opinion is that Florida State will become the new top dog in the ACC, but not everyone feels this way. Some believe in the Tigers and what they did in the offseason to improve the program. The main piece of that was the addition of 2022 Broyles Award winner Garrett Riley as the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator. 

With Cade Klubnik now under center and Riley prepared to open up the Clemson offense and help them return to form, the Tigers can make a run in 2023. This is evident in College Football News’ preseason rankings, which placed the Tigers as the No.7 team in the country. The Seminoles, on the other hand, ranked lower as their No.14 ranked team.

They don’t give any rationale behind the rankings, only the rankings, so I can’t say why they made them the way they did. It is interesting, however, as this is as low as we’ve seen the Seminoles in preseason rankings. They are arguably the most hyped team in college football heading into the season, and it seems CFN is not buying the hype.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Garrett Riley on Beaux Collins heading into the 2023 season

Beaux Collins is back from injury, and Garrett Riley is excited to see him on the field this fall.

Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins hit the ground running in 2022 after a successful freshman season that saw him earn 31 catches for 407 yards and three touchdowns.

Starting the season as the Tigers‘ wide receiver one alongside Antonio Williams, Collins was a top performer through Clemson’s first six games before injuries began to take their toll. A shoulder injury led to Collins missing games and ultimately ended his season.

After surgery on his separated shoulder, Collins was a limited participant in Spring but is in a great spot heading into fall camp, according to new Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

“Beaux physically looks great,” Riley said this week. “I mean, he’s in a really good place physically. I know guys are excited about what he’s been doing, throwing sessions and different things this summer. “Beaux’s a – from my interaction this spring and just seeing him this summer – Beaux’s a sharp guy. So I think mentally, he’s going to really kind of just hit the ground running, so to speak. So, I’m really excited to see Beaux out there.”

In his career, Collins has totaled 53 receptions for 780 yards and eight touchdowns over 21 games, but 2023 could be the year he takes the next step into the elite conversation of wide receivers. Expectations are high for Collins with Cade Klubnik under center.

Clemson could have a surprising duo that could contend for one of the best in the country in Collins and Williams.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Garrett Riley discusses if he’s feeling pressure to perform at Clemson

Garrett Riley was asked if he’s feeling pressure to perform with the Tigers and had this to say.

New offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has experienced success everywhere he’s coached, but he has never been a part of a program as big as Clemson.

The 2022 Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant coach helped lead TCU to a National Championship appearance last season which was a wild and impressive run. However, joining the Tigers and Dabo Swinney’s coaching staff is a significant move that comes with expectations. 

During Clemson’s media outing Thursday, Riley was asked if he feels pressured to deliver in his role as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator. 

“I think I do (feel pressure) every year probably,” Riley said. I just think you always put more pressure on yourself than anybody else is going to. So, I just think that’s the nature of what we do and that’s kind of those positions you want to be in, right. But I wouldn’t say any more (pressure) than I probably have any other year.”

Pressure is a part of life, and it will always be present when you coach football at the highest level. Riley has proven to be capable of handling that pressure as he is one of the top coordinators in college football.

At just 33 years old, Riley has spent the past three seasons as an offensive coordinator. Things started at SMU before he followed Sonny Dykes to TCU, where his offense finished ninth nationally in scoring (38.8 points per game), 27th in total offense (455 yards per game), 31st in rushing (193.3), and 39th in passing (261.7).

Riley should do wonders for the Tigers’ offense in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

CBS Sports names Clemson among the hardest teams to place in preseason polls ahead of the 2023 season

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are among the most challenging teams to place in preseason rankings.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have been placed all over preseason polls and rankings as analysts each have varying opinions on how the Tigers will perform next season. 

Some see the Tigers as second fiddle in the ACC, with Florida State emerging as a top contender in the College Football Playoff picture. Others see Clemson remaining as the top dog in the conference that should find their way back into the CFP conversation. 

Opinions are split, and it makes the Tigers a difficult team to rank heading into 2023. CBS Sports recently released an article naming the hardest teams to place in preseason polls ahead of the 2023 season, with Clemson making the list. Here is what writer Chip Patterson had to say about the Tigers.

Clemson

Big question: Have the Tigers lost the ACC’s top spot to Florida State? 

Clemson won seven of the last eight ACC championships, but the Tigers have found themselves sitting behind Florida State in a number of preseason ratings and rankings heading into 2023. In fact, there is a close-to-consensus position that Clemson is not even a top-10 team, though no ratings or rankings pulled for this exercise had the Tigers lower than No. 13. But there was one outlier that drew our attention, and it’s a notable one: Phil Steele’s 2023 preseason top 40 — which he would want me to note is not the same as his power ratings — has Clemson sitting at No. 2 in the country, trailing only Georgia at No. 1. For the record, Clemson is at No. 6 in Phil Steele’s power poll, but still sitting ahead of Florida State while many other preseason rankings have the Seminoles two to three spots ahead of the Tigers.

If you believe that the hire of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is going to unlock the best in former five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik, then I think putting Clemson ahead of Florida State is the correct move. The talent level of this roster is still extremely high, and the last two “down years” still included 21 combined wins and a pair of top-15 finishes in the final AP Top 25. But Florida State’s resurgence has done a number on Clemson’s stock, and that fight for conference supremacy is the No. 1 story in the ACC heading into the season.

It seems everyone is on board with the same thought process heading into next season. Whether you have them ranked higher or lower than FSU, the majority feel this season comes down to the Clemson offense’s success with starting quarterback Cade Klubnik and new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

As someone who expects a breakout year from Klubnik in 2023, the Tigers should compete with the best of them.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s thoughts on the NCAA transfer portal

Garrett Riley shares his perspective on the transfer portal.

The transfer portal has become a significant part of college football. While it isn’t something the Tigers use actively, they have dipped their hands into it a couple of times. 

Clemson continues to be a team that builds its program through recruiting. In contrast, others use both recruiting and the transfer portal to build their program. A great example is ACC rival Florida State, who made a killing in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing some top-tier talent to their program. 

During Tuesday’s Tigers media outing, Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was asked about the transfer portal and whether he believes the Tigers should use it more. The new OC shared his thoughts. 

“Well, I just think you’ve got to apply it to what your needs are and what’s going to best fit your team,” Riley said. “So, Clemson’s situation is going to be different than a lot of other colleges and their situations. So, you’ve just got to take some of that stuff with a grain of salt just because we are in such a unique situation and circumstances here.”

This a good perspective from the 2022 Broyles Award winner; maybe we will see the Tigers dip into the transfer portal a bit more with him as the offensive coordinator. Clemson will likely never be near as active as other teams in the portal, but we could see them take advantage of it more in the future.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

‘The sky is the limit’: Clemson coaches high on Williams to have sophomore surge

There are high expectations for this sophomore wide receiver, with WR coach Tyler Grisham seeing some similarities to Hunter Renfrow.

Antonio Williams led Clemson in receptions and receiving yards as a freshman last year, but his coaches think he still has plenty of room to grow.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Clemson coaches raved about Williams, who is entering his sophomore campaign this fall.

One of the coaches that spoke highly of Williams was Garrett Riley, who is entering his first season as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator.

“I know he’s gotten faster,” Riley said of Williams. “The guy is physically in a better place than where he’s been at. The sky is the limit for him. He was really, really good for us, really productive this spring. I thought he was consistent the whole way through, but I think physically, and probably his confidence level is growing; he’s a confident kid anyway. The guy has made a lot of plays here already, but he’s going to continue to make a lot more for us.”

Head coach Dabo Swinney had similar praise for the former four-star recruit.

“Physically, he’s in a different place. He’s mentally in a different place,” Swinney said. “He has a different understanding. I thought he hit a wall a little bit last year, and then he kind of came on and found himself again… it’s amazing how far he’s developed. I mean, you look at him; he’s thicker, he’s bigger, faster and stronger. And that’s what should happen if you’re putting the work in.”

Williams’ position coach, Tyler Grisham, added that he reminds him of Hunter Renfrow with the way Williams stays calm and even-keeled.

As the Tigers’ primary slot receiver, Williams finished 2022 with 56 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 15 punts for an average of 8.6 yards per return.

With the way the coaches are praising him, Williams could be in store for a breakout sophomore season this fall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

2023 Season Preview: Sooners wrap up with the national runner-up

It was a magical 2022 season for the TCU Horned Frogs but can they build upon that in 2023?

It was a magical 2022 season for the TCU Horned Frogs.

Legendary coach Gary Patterson steps down, and in comes Sonny Dykes. TCU goes 12-0 in the regular season, becoming the first Big 12 team since the 2016 Oklahoma Sooners to go 9-0 in conference play.

The Horned Frogs then went on to win the conference’s first College Football Playoff game, beating blue-blood Michigan in the process.

This year they are replacing a lot of talent. They rank 118th in returning production per ESPN (ESPN+).

The offense that finished 27th a year ago is only returning 33% of its production, which ranks next to last in the country.

They have to replace Heisman finalist Max Duggan, their top two running backs Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado, and their top three receivers Quentin Johnston, Taye Barber, and Derius Davis. Additionally, former four-star wide receiver transferred to SMU.

In comes Chandler Morris, who won the starting job last year before being injured in the first game of the season.

Morris brings dual-threat potential and was really thought of as the better passer between him and Duggan. Can he replicate the work Magic Max did a year ago?

At running back, the Horned Frogs add Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Trey Sanders. Sanders only carried the ball 116 times for 528 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons with the Tide. A product of IMG Academy, Sanders was once the No. 1 running back in the 247Sports composite, the No. 6 player overall, and a five-star prospect in the nation. The talent is there to be a dynamic player for the Horned Frogs.

At wide receiver they bring in Oklahoma State Cowboys transfer John Paul Richardson and Alabama transfer Jojo Earle. Richardson caught 49 balls for 503 yards and four touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2022 and moves into a better passing attack than what he had with Oklahoma State. Last year with Alabama, Earle had 12 receptions for 155 yards and two scores.

The Horned Frogs will be replacing offensive coordinator Garrett Riley with Kendal Briles. A different system, but still expected to put up big numbers offensively.

Defensively they return 71% of their production from a season ago. On a defense that ranked 95th last year. Like the Oklahoma Sooners, they’re hoping their experience will help them grow as a defense.

The Horned Frogs return five of their top six players in tackles last season, including starting linebackers Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge. They return three of their top five in sacks. However, they lost Dylan Horton and Dee Winters, who combined for 18 sacks a year ago.

It will be interesting to see how the Horned Frogs retool from a year ago. Dykes said he felt their skilled position players are better this year than last year. That could just be coach speak. It’s hard to lose a player like Quentin Johnston and be better. He was a dynamic player that could make plays at ever level of the passing game.

The thing that will be difficult to replicate is the success they had in close games. They went 4-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less, including wins over Michigan, Baylor, Texas, and Kansas.

Only time will tell. Ultimately, this could be a weird game for Oklahoma. Coming off what should be a hard-fought battle in Provo, Utah. Now, you come home on a short week and play at 11:00 am CT on Black Friday.

Still, I like the Sooners until I see how TCU responds from last season.

Score Prediction: 41-30 Oklahoma

Predicted Record: 10-2

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Longhorns Big 12 team to beat, Sooners third in preseason media poll

The Oklahoma Sooners were picked to finish third in the Big 12 preseason media poll while their Red River Rivals look like the team to beat.

Next week, all 14 teams in the Big 12 will descend upon Arlington, Texas, for Big 12 Media Days at AT&T Stadium.

It marks a landmark season for the conference in what will be the last year featuring the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns before they depart for the SEC next summer.

The Big 12 is as wide open as it has been recently. If one team leads the pack in the public eye, it is the Texas Longhorns.

Their combination of incoming talent and returning star power them as the favorite to win the conference early on.

Ahead of next week’s media days, here’s how those that cover the Big 12 voted in the preseason poll.

Jeff Lebby among Pro Football Focus’ top 10 offensive coordinators

Oklahoma’s Jeff Lebby ranked among Pro Football Focus’ top 10 offensive coordinators.

After a season in Norman, Jeff Lebby became a hot name in the Alabama offensive coordinator search. Spurning the Crimson Tide to stay with his alma mater, Lebby returns to build on a good first year with the Sooners.

Because of his success, he’s considered one of the top coordinators in the country and someone on the short list for Power Five openings next coaching cycle.

Over at Pro Football Focus, Max Chadwick named Lebby the sixth-best offensive coordinator in the country. Clemson OC Garrett Riley came in at No. 1. Here’s what Chadwick had to say about Lebby.

Oklahoma’s offense wasn’t as dominant as we’ve come to expect in Lebby’s first year at the helm, as it ranked just 25th in the Power Five in EPA per play —  the Sooners’ worst finish since PFF began charting college football in 2014.

However, Oklahoma was going through a major transition after losing head coach Lincoln Riley and two starting-caliber quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler.

In his three years as an offensive coordinator before 2022, Lebby produced two top-10 offenses in EPA per play (2019 at UCF and 2020 at Ole Miss). His proven track record suggests that he should be able to turn it around at Oklahoma sooner rather than later. – Chadwick, PFF

The biggest issues the offense faced in 2022 were their inefficiencies on third down and in the red zone. The Sooners were just 49th in third down conversion percentage, and they were 66th in the red zone. That’s not good enough for a team with championship aspirations.

Back for year two and with quarterback continuity, the Sooners hope a second year in the offense can improve some of their weaknesses. They’ll need everyone to be better, including the offensive coordinator and the quarterback with the number of players departing for the NFL on offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Former LSU QB Walker Howard names two upcoming visits

The former Tigers quarterback officially entered the transfer portal on Friday, and he’ll take upcoming visits to TCU and Ole Miss.

Walker Howard’s official transfer portal announcement came out on Friday, and we now know who two of his visits are going to be: Howard is going to be visiting Ole Miss and TCU.

As soon as that news came out, Lane Kiffin wasted no time in trolling [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] on Twitter by retweeting the video of a Walker Howard recruiting trip to LSU. Kiffin is always looking for talented quarterbacks and Howard fits that mold.

TCU was named as a top suitor for Howard as soon as he entered the portal, but things may have changed as Garrett Riley is headed to be the offensive coordinator at Clemson.

There has also been a lot of smoke on Twitter about Billy Napier and Florida sliding in and trying to get Howard. The Gators could use a quarterback as they lost Anthony Richardson to the NFL Draft. They did sign Graham Mertz from Wisconsin out of the transfer portal, but you can always use more than one quarterback.

[mm-video type=video id=01gpetpmtapt88taf29h playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gpetpmtapt88taf29h/01gpetpmtapt88taf29h-d722ae1f6ebdeaab4a2e35fe69d970db.jpg]

[listicle id=63380]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.