Clemson Football’s 10 Most Valuable Players in 2014

Nov 15, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) catches a ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Given the troubles Clemson football had at quarterback this season, it’s kind of remarkable that the Tigers offense produced another 1,000+ year receiver this season.

Most people more or less expected that kind of production from Mike Williams this season, after his impressive freshman campaign a year ago. But underlying most predictions about how good Williams might be was the assumption that the Tigers would get at least above-average quarterback play all year.

That’s part of why Williams only lands at No. 7 on this list. Although his stats are very, very good (1,030 receiving yards, six touchdowns) his contributions rose and fell dramatically with the level of quarterback play.

Williams’ season didn’t really take off until Deshaun Watson took over the starting quarterback job. In game four against North Carolina–Watson’s first start–Williams eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time in the season and hauled in his first touchdown pass (he had two on the day).

The next week, Williams hauled in six catches for 155 yards and another two touchdowns against NC State.

The next game was against Louisville, when Watson went down with an injury. Williams finished that game with only one catch for 23 yards.

After grabbing four touchdowns against UNC and NC State, Williams didn’t reach the end zone again until the second-to-last game of the regular season against South Carolina State.

Williams did cap the season with an excellent performance in the Russell Athletic Bowl (nine catches, 112 yards, and a touchdown) but that also coincided with the best game of Cole Stoudt’s career.

None of this is to say that Williams is not a great receiver but his fortunes did seem to depend on having a quarterback who could air the ball out a bit. He is at his most dangerous when he is making plays down the field.

When Stoudt was on the field, Williams’ numbers suffered. When Watson was in the game, Williams was one of the most dangerous receivers in the ACC (maybe the country).

Hopefully that will be the case throughout the 2015 season.

Next: Clemson Football's MVPs: No. 6