Clemson’s a tad short on receivers this spring - not in stature but in the number of bodies.
Beaux Collins and Adam Randall, a pair of returnees who are likely starters this fall, are nursing injuries and aren’t full-go. Troy Stellato, who’s battled poor health seemingly his entire Clemson career, is also working his way back from an injury.
Will Taylor is playing for the Tiger baseball team right now.
Three freshmen - Ronan Hanafin, Tyler Brown and Tristan Martinez - aren’t on campus yet and won’t join the team until this summer.
That’s meant a ton of reps for Antonio Brown, Cole Turner, Brannon Spector, freshman Noble Johnson and a host of walk-ons. But it hasn’t held back this group from learning new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s system, according to WR coach Tyler Grisham.
“It hasn't held us back at all as far as what we're going what we're installing,” Grisham said Monday. “We're installing the entire offense.
“I know they're hating not being here right now. I mean they really are. Everybody wants to be here and compete on the offense and be with the guys but they’ll be here soon enough. They'll help us but as far as installing it hasn't hindered us whatsoever.”
Grisham said he expects to have 21 receivers (including walk-ons) on the roster by the time fall camp rolls around. Until then, he feels like this group is grasping the new terminology and concepts. It helps that several of the receivers ran similar offenses to Riley’s in high school.
Collins, despite not being able to do any contact drills while he recovers from late-season shoulder surgery, is still getting plenty of work.
“Beaux is not practicing when it comes to tackling, collisions, stuff like that, but he's out there and he's doing everything else that's team separate which is great,” Grisham said. “He's getting reps already and looks fantastic. It's hard to watch him and not you put him on the scrimmage field, unfortunately.”
Randall isn’t that far along yet. He had a knee procedure that’s only allowing him to catch a few passes, but he’s being held back even though Grisham said he could do more.
“He’s hungry,” Grisham said about Randall. “His time will come and we’re excited to help him achieve his dreams.”
