Clemson football placing emphasis on getting slot receivers the ball
The Clemson football program has one of the top wide receivers in the country in Deon Cain, but, two other wide outs have stolen the show during the early part of the year.
In 2016, Clemson’s top three receivers were, Mike Williams, Jordan Leggett and Deon Cain. Both Williams and Cain played the 9-man for Clemson and Leggett was a tight end. Since Dabo Swinney took over in Death Valley, the “9-man” has received majority of the targets and attention.
During the early part of the 2017 season, co-offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott have taken a different approach. The Tigers’ have emphasized getting the ball to their shifty slot-receivers.
As it stands, Ray-Ray McCloud leads Clemson in receiving with 16 receptions for 220 yards and one touchdown. Hunter Renfrow is second in receiving with 15 receptions for 149 yards. Both do not play exclusively out of the slot, however, majority of their reps will come from that spot on the field.
Thoughts
Deon Cain may not be leading the Tigers in receiving, but, this is no cause for concern. Clemson is simply exploiting the favorable matchups that they have in the slot. Cain is normally covered by the opponents best defensive back, whereas McCloud and Renfrow are left matched up with slower linebackers and safeties.
While Cain is the best receiver Clemson has, there is no sense in forcing the ball to him. The Tigers’ are thrashing opponents by simply taking what’s given to them. If McCloud and Renfrow continue to perform at this rate, opponents will have no choice but to dedicate extra defenders to stop them. This will leave Cain – one of the fastest players in the country – on an island by himself.
The Tigers are fortunate to have a wealth of riches at wide receiver. It’s nearly impossible to completely stop them, due to the endless amount of mismatches they cause for opponents.
McCloud and Renfrow also help Kelly Bryant remain comfortable. Why take a shot down the field, when you can throw a three yard bubble and watch one of them take it 80 yards to the house?
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Clemson’s slot receivers will continue to rack up the yards until an opponent forces the Tigers to beat them another way. If and when that day comes, Deon Cain will surely be there to pick up the slack.