Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Artavis Scott (3) carries the ball for a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Projecting the 2015 Clemson football depth chart position by position. This time we predict the rotation at wide receiver.
While Clemson football has not really lacked for talent at wide receiver in recent memory, in 2014 the Tigers did not have a ton of depth there. Among their top five wide receivers last year, just two guys–Mike Williams and Artavis Scott–accounted for 75% of the receiving yards.
Williams and Scott both exceeded or approached 1,000 receiving yards while Clemson’s third leading receiver, Germone Hopper, finished with just over 300 yards.
A lot of this was a result of Clemson’s struggles at quarterback. Between Deshaun Watson’s injuries and Cole Stoudt’s ineffectiveness, life wasn’t always easy for the Tigers’ receivers in 2014.
Hopefully that will all change next season, with Watson taking over as the full-time starting quarterback. If he manages to stay healthy, Clemson may not only get eye-popping numbers from their top receivers, they may display significant depth, as well. Clemson may put as many as seven wide receivers on the field regularly in 2015.
Here is the breakdown:
Returning: Charone Peake (RS Senior*), Germone Hopper (RS Junior), Mike Williams (Junior), Artavis Scott (Sophomore), Trevion Thompson (RS Freshman)
Departing: Adam Humphries, Daniel Rodriguez, Demarre Kitt (transfer)
Newcomers: Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud, Shadell Bell
If Watson stays healthy, Williams and Scott should have no problem breaking 1,000 yards each next year. The difference in 2015 might be the emergence of a third receiver who could approach that mark, along with a couple other guys who could go for a few hundred yards apiece.
The only question is who will they be? Who will take up that third spot after Williams and Scott, and who could get edged out of getting significant playing time? This will be one of the most intriguing position battles to watch in spring practice, and it will only get better in the fall, when freshmen Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud arrive.
* – Eligibility listed for the 2015 Clemson football season.
Next: The Redshirt Candidate