Clemson Football: Spring Game Primer – Wide Receivers

The Clemson Football Spring Game is scheduled for April 9 at 1 PM, Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Below is a primer for the Wide Receiver Position:

Position Coach: Tyler Grisham – 2021 was Coach Grisham’s second in charge of the wide receivers, and he faced adversity as his players struggled with drops and run blocking. As injuries mounted, he found promising play from freshmen Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins, giving him some tough choices going into 2022 as his squad gets healthy and several players compete to be at the top of the depth chart.

Who is playing: Joseph Ngata (SR), Brannon Spector (JR-RS), Beaux Collins (SO), Dacari Collins (SO), Drew Swinney (+SR), Adam Randall (FR-Early Enrollee)

Who isn’t playing: EJ Williams (JR), Will Taylor (SO), Antonio Williams (FR), Cole Turner (FR)

Questionable: Troy Stellato (FR-RS): Stellato was injured in camp and his status for the Spring Game is yet to be determined.

What we can expect for the spring game: The receivers will be a focus in the spring game. The running back roster is thin this spring due to injuries, so the passing game will take center stage. We can expect all the scholarship players to get plenty of reps, and a handful of the walk-ons to get time as well. We shouldn’t be surprised if we see some receivers line-up in more than one position during the game. Grisham has several players who are versatile, giving him multiple options when setting his depth chart.

What we can expect for next season: The wide receiver room needs to see improvement next season. Keeping experienced players like Ngata and Williams healthy is key. Development at the slot position is vital as well. Early observations of Spector have been positive. The Tigers also are looking forward to the return from injury of Will Taylor, who will move to wide receiver after training at quarterback in 2021.

Taylor will presumably join Spector at the slot receiver position, which has freed up Stellato to work at other spots. While Ngata and Williams are the elder players, the Collins Towers both saw heavy playing time later in the 2021 season as injuries mounted, and both impressed.

Now add in the freshmen Randall, who has wowed observers with this physical presence, and Williams, who grabbed headlines at the Under Armour All-America game, and the Tigers have multiple options for the two-deep at receiver.

It is inevitable that some players won’t be satisfied with their place on the depth chart, and receiver could be one of those units that has some transfer attrition after the spring game, especially if younger players assert themselves.

Previous Spring Primers: Quarterback