Five Clemson football players who will have breakout performances vs. Wake Forest
The Clemson football team will open up the 2020 season against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Saturday evening in front of a nationally-televised audience.
The Tigers and Deacons will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET live on ABC in Winston-Salem in what promises to be one of the weirdest seasons in the history of the sport.
As we continue to prepare for the start of Clemson football, here’s a look at five Tigers who will have breakout performances against Wake Forest this weekend in the season opener.
5. Cornell Powell
No wide receiver has received more praise over the course of this offseason than veteran Cornell Powell and now he’s going to take the field as a starter with something to prove.
Analysts raved about Powell’s pure athleticism and play-making ability in the past and there’s no question that he has the tools to be a successful wide-out. But will he take that next step?
Through the first few years of his career, the answer is no. But that’s going to change in Winston-Salem Saturday night when Powell has a breakout performance and proves he is going to be a real asset to the Tiger offense this season.
4. Andrew Booth Jr.
Andrew Booth Jr. is listed as a co-starter with veteran Mario Goodrich, but it won’t take long for Tiger fans to see just how good he can be and for his 5-star abilities to be on display.
With Derion Kendrick manning one side, Wake Forest is going to try and attack Booth. Don’t be surprised if he makes them pay with an interception before it’s all said and done.
Booth is going to be a lock down cornerback for the Tigers this season and it’s all going to start with the season-opener against the Demon Deacons when he cements himself as the clear No. 2 guy.
3. Braden Galloway
Perhaps saying Braden Galloway is going to have a ‘breakout performance’ would be a bit of an overstatement considering what he’s already done.
The vast majority of Clemson football fans don’t have any doubt when it comes to Galloway’s abilities and his skills have already been on display.
That being said, we’re going to see a renewed version of the tight end when he takes the field Saturday.
Look for Galloway to open up the middle of the field and create a whole different level for the Clemson offense that simply was nonexistent last season. He’s going to make the offense click at a much higher level and will be one of the standout performers of not just the game against Wake Forest, but of the 2020 season.
2. K.J. Henry
You want to talk about a big-time name who will finally emerge? Let’s talk about DE K.J. Henry.
Making the first start of his career Saturday, K.J. Henry is going to make his name known early and often. Henry has bulked up over the offseason and is now stronger and more explosive than he has ever been before.
As he takes on the role as a starter, look for him to come away with some big plays and maybe even a couple of sacks. Henry is going to be noticed by Clemson football fans before the night is over and we’ll look back at this game as the overall ‘breakout performance’ from the talented redshirt sophomore.
1. Bryan Bresee
The first time Bryan Bresee steps foot on the field, Clemson football fans around the country will likely rise to their feet and keep their eyes glued to the defensive line on their television screens.
Bresee won’t be hard to notice when he steps on to the field because of his mass and size, and he’s a player that Tiger fans are most itching to see play in person.
We didn’t get to see a Spring Game and we haven’t gotten to have our eyes on practice, so this will be the first true time that all of us get to see the former No. 1 overall player in the nation.
Bresee will live up to the billing, as well.
Look for him to make some big plays and take the next step forward of cementing himself as a legitimate contributor for that Clemson football defensive line in 2020.
You don’t get named a starter as a freshman at Clemson unless you’ve absolutely stood out and that’s exactly what Bresee has done to this point.