The final whistle of practice has long since blown. The oppressive August heat still radiates off the turf as most players make a welcome retreat to the locker room and the blissful shock of the cold tub. But on the far side of the field, the work is not over. The rhythmic thump… whir… smack of a JUGS machine cuts through the afternoon haze.
This is the office of Clemson’s wide receiver corps, where the day’s work isn’t done until they’ve logged overtime.
“Right now we just we catch about 30 on the Monarch and then we hit 10 with the little foam balls,” explains junior T.J. Moore, describing the post-practice routine. “Just to round up about 100 catches after practice. About every catch you could think of we working on.”
This isn’t just about reps. It’s a combat drill. As one receiver works, a teammate stands beside him, swatting and chopping at his hands. “So we strong for the catch,” Moore says.
It’s this dedication to the details, a blend of veteran wisdom and youthful hunger, that defines the group. Antonio Williams, the seasoned leader of the trio, says the most important lesson he’s passing down has nothing to do with route-running.
“I try to teach them that I've been through is just taking care of your body,” Williams says, a lesson he wishes he’d learned sooner. “That's a big thing that I learned… Always getting that cold tub, always in the treatment room. We got everything you need here. So just use it and take advantage of everything.”
This is a group that has already proven its mettle under the brightest lights. Moore reflects on putting up 112 yards against Texas, the nation’s top-ranked pass defense, and hauling in a Hail Mary against Virginia Tech. Williams’ highlight was the ACC Championship, where he scored crucial touchdowns to punch Clemson’s ticket to the College Football Playoff.
They are confident, accomplished, and poised for dominant seasons. Which is why their answer to a question about individual goals is so stunningly simple and completely selfless.
Ask any of them about their personal stat lines or accolades for the upcoming season, and you’ll get the same answer, a unified mission statement that speaks volumes about the culture in their room.
“Get a Heisman for the team,” Moore says without hesitation.
Williams nods in agreement. “That's my goal. Our goal is to get Cade the Heisman.”
Their entire focus is on elevating their quarterback, Cade Klubnik, to college football’s highest honor. That selfless ambition is born from an unshakable belief in the man under center. When asked for one word to describe their QB, the answers come in rapid succession:
“Leader.”
“Smart.”
“Strong, mentally,” Williams adds. “He done had the pressure on him before, and he's never shied away from it.”
So as the season draws near, the work continues. Every extra catch on the JUGS machine, every minute in the cold tub, every rep with a teammate chopping at their hands isn’t for a spot on an All-American team or a Biletnikoff watch list.
It’s a down payment on a trophy they have no intention of keeping for themselves.