Clemson football: Tigers need Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr to step up in 2021

Clemson football wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham seemed to call out juniors Frank Ladson Jr and Joseph Ngata at the Clemson football media day.

Clemson football has become known as “WRU” for a good reason. Over the last decade receiver after receiver has come out of the program and been able to be productive at the NFL level; many didn’t even hear their names called during the NFL draft.

With the injuries to Ngata and Ladson in 2020 as well as Justyn Ross missing the entire year because of a degenerative neck issue, Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell took advantage and become the next in line for the NFL pipeline.

According to Grisham, Rodgers set the example for Ladson and Ngata but neither has taken advantage of that leadership. He called both of them “first-round talent” but went on to say that they have to learn you can’t just flip the switch when you become NFL draft-eligible.

During the Clemson football media day, Grisham called Ngata a “physically dominant guy” but went on to immediately say that “it would really help him if the light came on”. Grisham also said that if you are going to be a first-round guy, you have to have a first-round work ethic and pointed out the example Amari set.

Grisham stated that Amari “prepared like a pro. He was the first guy on the field, last guy off the field, and then the first guy in the training room” and that is part of being a first-round talent. He really made it seem like both juniors lack the off-the-field practices that make the great ones great – nutrition, rest, and dedication.

Clemson football needs both Ladson and Ngata in 2021

There is no doubt this is the most talented team that Clemson football has ever had. In order for the Tigers to compete at the highest level, win the ACC for the seventh straight time, and get back to the College Football Playoff for the seventh consecutive year, both Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr have to be healthy, on the field and committed.

They make the Tigers that much better from both a talent and depth point.

Sure, Clemson football is loaded at receiver with Justyn Ross (if he is cleared), EJ Williams, Ajou Ajou, Brannon Spector, and freshmen Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins but Ladson and Ngata make the Tigers lethal at receiver and that is something that Grisham, Dabo Swinney, and Tony Elliott would all love to have – not to mention starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

There is no doubt that there are a lot of expectations on the returning junior receivers. Hopefully, they take advantage of the resources at their disposal and become the receivers that coach Tyler Grisham believes they can become.