Clemson football: Dabo evolution could lead to Heisman winner

The evolution of Clemson football and Dabo Swinney is well underway.

Last week when after Clemson football completed a spring practice, head coach Dabo Swinney made the statement that if the season were to begin today, that Justyn Ross would be the starting slot receiver.

While this may have excited the fan base, many didn’t realize what a change this is for the Tigers from an offensive philosophy standpoint.

Looking back over the decade-plus that Dabo has been in charge of the Tigers, the slot receiver has looked the same year after year. A wildly talented 5’9-5’11 180 pound target who usually had the best hands on the team. More times than not, that slot receiver got a look at the NFL.

When you go from a 5’9 180-pound receiver to a 6’4 210-pound receiver with the ability to jump out of the stadium, you are evolving into what college football offenses have become – more importantly you are recognizing what the last two teams have had on offense in order to win a national title.

Justyn Ross in the slot may be the first Clemson football to ever win the Heisman. That is how much talent he possesses.

Last year college football saw Alabama receiver Devonta Smith rack up a ton of yards out of the slot on his way to the Heisman Trophy, and Ross has just as much (if not more) talent.

Of course, this will all hinge on Tony Elliott’s ability to be more progressive and imaginative with his play calling.

As we have said before, Elliott should be spending time with Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian this off-season in order to pick up some better ideas than the screen left and screen right philosophy he has had over the years.

This change in personnel philosophy is just the first step in what needs to evolve for Clemson football. The next step needs to be the blocking scheme used by the offensive line and the final piece of the evolution will be the use of the transfer portal.

One step at a time for Dabo, but at least it is a step in the right direction.