The Clemson football team was just a few plays away from being the 2015 National Champions. In 2016, Mike Williams holds the key for the Tigers.
The Clemson football team was just a few plays away from being the 2015 National Champions. The Tigers put up 40 points on the vaunted Alabama defense, but it just wasn’t quite enough as the defense and special teams couldn’t stop the Crimson Tide from getting big plays when they needed them.
As great as the 2015 season was, however, the 2016 Clemson football season is expected to be one of the best in school history. The Tigers have more talent on offense than they have ever had and the defense is expected to be solid. If Clemson football can clean up the special teams, they will have a great chance to make a run at a National Title.
There are several things that must fall into place for the Tigers to have a chance in 2016. We all know that the defense has questions heading into the season. We all know that the special teams need to get better.
Today, let’s look past those things to find what may end up being one of the most important keys for the Clemson football team this upcoming season: Mike Williams.
In 2014, Mike Williams had 57 catches for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns. It was clear that he and Watson had a special connection and when Watson went down with an injury, it was almost like Williams was not on the field.
Williams suffered a neck injury after catching the first touchdown of the season against Wofford at the beginning of the 2015 season. He was unable to return and had to begin a long rehabbing process on the injury. He had two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown on the first drive of the game and his loss was a big blow to the Tiger offense.
Not only did he have great chemistry with Deshaun Watson, but he brought something to the team that no one else had at that point: The ability to go up and get the ball deep.
This is where Mike Williams will make a difference this season. He adds another dimension to the offense because of his skill set.
Think about this.
Last season, Artavis Scott received a majority of double-teams. Hunter Renfrow got a lot of catches in the slot due to Scott being double-teamed. When Deon Cain was able to start playing the boundary position, it opened up more opportunities for Artavis Scott.
In the same way, Mike Williams being on the field makes everyone else better.
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Defenses will not be able to double-team any one receiver because the Tigers will have too much talent all over the field. You could have a lineup where Williams plays one boundary, Deon Cain plays the other boundary, and you have Artavis Scott and Hunter Renfrow in the slots.
Williams gives Deshaun Watson a deep option, which he did not have for the majority of last season. He will also open up the opportunity for other receivers such as Renfrow, Scott, Cain, Thompson, Leggett, and others to get the ball in their hands.
I’m of the opinion that if Mike Williams plays in the National Championship game, Clemson football probably wins. I just don’t think Alabama would have had the talent or depth to deal with all the receivers spread out across the field.
As we draw closer to the 2016 Clemson football season- starting with spring practice- it will be intriguing to see how much of a role Mike Williams plays for this team.
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He certainly has the talent and ability to be a game-changer for the Tigers and bring Clemson’s offense to another level and dimension for the 2016 season.