Clemson Football Recruiting 2015: Five Tigers Who Could Start As True Freshmen

Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; East wide receiver Deon Cain (5) runs past West defensive back Isaiah Langley (27) for a touchdown in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. West beat East 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

2) Deon Cain – WR

When someone earns a starting job as a true freshman it usually happens for one of two reasons. The first is necessity. Usually when a true freshman earns a starting job it’s a bad sign, because it means there wasn’t a lot of talent there to begin with.

Then there are the freshman who are simply too talented to keep off the field, even when they play at a position of strength.

The latter may apply to five-star WR Deon Cain.

Clemson returns two of the top receivers in the ACC (and maybe the country) in Mike Williams and Artavis Scott in 2015 but it’s hard to imagine Cain not seeing the field anyway.

The only real question is where Cain will fit in with the rest of the rotation at receiver. Williams and Scott are likely to remain options one and two next season, but Cain could potentially start as the Tigers’ third receiver.

Charone Peake, Germone Hopper, and redshirt freshman Trevion Thompson will have something to say about that, of course. All three have been with the program for longer than Cain and they should know the offense better, as well. With the possible exception of Thompson though, none have the kind of upside that Cain will bring to the position.

Cain may not start right away but, by the end of the year, I expect him to be a big part of Clemson’s offense.

Next: #1 - More help in the trenches