One interesting note coming out of Clemson football’s spring practice is the fact that Diondre Overton has played some snaps at slot.
It was reported last week that Clemson football wide receiver Amari Rodgers had torn his ACL in Monday afternoon’s practice.
The junior wide-out was slated to move inside and take the snaps once given to Hunter Renfrow with Justyn Ross moving to the other outside position and Tee Higgins maintaining his spot at the boundary.
With Rodgers out for the majority of the season rehabbing that knee injury, it left an opening in the starting lineup.
While most believe that Derion Kendrick- who has been playing a lot of cornerback- is the favorite to move over and start at the slot, there are some other options. Of course, the Tigers could look at veterans Cornell Powell or TJ Chase, who have played the slot at times during their respective Clemson football careers.
But, interestingly enough, Diondre Overton has seen time in the slot at practice and, should he move over there full-time, it could prove to be horrific for opposing defenses.
Overton came to Clemson as a 4-star prospect with a high upside. Unfortunately, he has had to wait his turn behind several talented wide receivers, including Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and now Tee Higgins.
The 6-foot-4, 210 pound senior has played sparingly in his career as a backup, but could the injury to Rodgers vault him into the starting lineup?
Most would say that Overton wouldn’t be a good option for the Tigers in the slot. He doesn’t quite have the quick-step, 10-yard explosiveness that you look for in a slot wide receiver. You want your slot guy to be able to be successful and consistent in the short-to-mid yard passing game. He’s got to beat linebackers and nickel backs with quick feet and perfect routes, all the while finding a hole in the defense to get open past the first down marker.
While Overton may not be the best candidate to do that, he could prove to be effective in the slot.
Imagine an opposing defense having to defend Tee Higgins (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), Justyn Ross (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and Diondre Overton (6-foot-4, 210 pounds). No, you’re not seeing a typo. All three of those guys are the same bodies and are lethal in what they do.
No one would be able to be zeroed-in on. It would be an absolutely impossible starting attack to defend. Let’s not forget that the guys would have Trevor Lawrence throwing the ball to them.
Mix in some Derion Kendrick, Powell and Chase, along with the freshmen Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson, and you’re talking about the deepest, most explosive wide receiver group in the country.
Overton may not be the prototypical slot receiver, but he certainly could prove to be a monster in that position. There’s no Nickelback that can guard him, so I think the Tigers should give the senior a shot to prove himself there and perhaps work his way into the starting lineup.