Clemson football: What Tiger offense is missing more than anything

Countless analysts and organizations have attempted to take a stab at what is wrong the Clemson football offense through the first two games of the season.

We’ve discussed ad nauseum about the deficiencies of the offensive line. We’ve talked about D.J. Uiagalelei’s growing pains and what he needs to do to get better. We’ve talked about play-calling, tempo and scheming.

But one area that hasn’t been addressed near enough is the wide receiver group.

What Clemson football is missing on offense more than anything else

It’s easy to talk about the offensive line, but the truth is that you can scheme around an inconsistent offensive line. We’ve heard Clemson football fans talk about Uiagalelei and some have even already called him a ‘bust’ just two games into his sophomore season.

However, I’ve gone back and watched the film from both of the Tigers’ games thus far and one of the biggest deficiencies I see is in the wide receiver group.

It’s not a matter of talent, but a matter of what is needed right now from that unit.

Frank Ladson Jr., Joseph Ngata, Justyn Ross, E.J. Williams and Ajou Ajou are all big-body receivers who specialize in using their track speed to get down the field and out-physical opposing defensive backs.

What the Tigers are missing, though, is that ‘quick-twitch’ wide receiver who can create separation for an easy 5-7 yard throw down the field. Yes, I’m talking about Hunter Renfrow.

If you go back and watch the UGA game, take time to watch the wide receivers and their route-running. They just simply don’t create separation.

As a matter of fact, over the course of these first two games, the only wide receiver who has shown any consistency in creating separation is Joseph Ngata, who conveniently enough leads the team in receiving yards with 161. 

When you’ve got a quarterback who is struggling mentally and an offensive line that hasn’t shown the ability to consistently hold their blocks for long periods of time, you’ve got to get the ball out quick. And that means wide receivers have to be shifty, quick and do a good job at creating separation at the point of attack. Right now, they’re just not doing that as a unit.

Running routes with the defensive back a step beside you and expecting Uiagalelei to continue to throw 50/50 balls isn’t working.

This may sound crazy, but I would venture to say that Clemson— with all its problems on offense– would’ve beaten Georgia if Hunter Renfrow had been on the field. If Uiagalelei had a receiver that he could’ve counted on to find the open space– because it was there– and to get open quickly for a routine pass, it would’ve done wonders for his confidence and it would’ve kept drives alive.

Every wide receiver loves the long ball and an opportunity to go one-on-one deep with a defensive back, but what Clemson needs now more than anything is a ‘safety-net’ receiver.

• They need someone to step up and commit to running those simple underneath routes effectively.
• They need someone who will use their explosiveness right out of the route tree to get open.
• They need someone who, once they’re open, can be depended upon to make the catch every single time.

We all love the deep ball and we all want the explosive play, but what the Tigers are missing currently is that reliable underneath option who can make D.J. Uiagalelei’s job easier.