5 Clemson football players who must step up following the Justyn Ross injury
The expected top wide receiver for Clemson football in 2020 will be out for the entirety of the season following a surgery on his spine.
Justyn Ross, who was expected by many to be a breakout player nationally, will undergo surgery on his spine Friday and will, as a result, miss the 2020 Clemson football season.
Losing Ross is more than a big deal for a team that was already looking to replace its leading receiver from 2019 in Tee Higgins.
Here’s a look at five Clemson football players who will have to step up in Ross’s absence.
5. Cornell Powell
Cornell Powell is a guy who has been in the program for quite some time.
Powell is entering his final year of eligibility and was said to have had the best spring of any Clemson wide receiver during those nine sessions earlier this year. Powell seems to have a firm grasp on the starting spot in the slot and it’s clear that his number is going to be called upon quite a bit.
He’ll be even more of a target now with Ross gone.
Look for Powell to become the main underneath option for the Tigers this season and for his route-running to be on display unlike anything we’ve seen from him in years past.
4. Frank Ladson Jr.
Frank Ladson Jr. has the size, measurables and talent to be a key target in this Clemson offense. He’s going to be relied upon to take that next step this year, without a doubt.
Ladson Jr. is going to compete with fellow sophomore Joseph Ngata for starting reps and he’ll be placed at different positions across the field.
Look for Ladson Jr. to get plenty of playing time and to have more than 40 receptions before the season is finished.
3. Braden Galloway
Braden Galloway is going to have to be an answer for that Clemson offense to be successful in 2020.
Galloway has the ability to open up the middle of the field and make the defense account for a lot more when he’s on the field. He has a fair shot at being one of the leading receivers in this offense and there’s nothing that will stand in his way.
For Clemson’s offense to be elite, Braden Galloway has to be successful. There’s not much room for anything otherwise.
2. Amari Rodgers
Amari Rodgers is playing his final season of his Clemson football career and there’s no doubt that he’s looking to go out with a bang.
Rodgers has an opportunity to ‘up’ his draft stock with a big season and it should be expected that the Tigers use him quite a bit as a play-maker all over the field.
Look for Rodgers to become an over-the-middle threat, but also a guy who can stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally.
1. Joseph Ngata
Leading off our list is none other than sophomore Joseph Ngata.
Ngata is the perfect body type to take over playing that boundary position and that’s what we think will happen before it’s all said and done.
Ngata- 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds- has the ability to beat defensive backs because of his pure size and that’s going to be an extreme asset for the Tigers this season.
Ngata has to have a successful season and it’s clear that the rest of the Clemson football program will be relying upon him to get the job done at the boundary position.
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