Troy Stellato was one of Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham’s first big recruiting wins.
The speedy wideout from Ft. Lauderdale committed to Clemson back in June of 2020, with the former 4-star choosing the Tigers over Ohio State. Stellato would accumulate more than 40 offers in total, before narrowing the field down to two finalists.
However, Stellato’s path to the field has been filled with obstacles. Multiple injuries limited him to just 23 snaps across two games during his freshman campaign, as he would ultimately redshirt. A torn ACL then kept him off the field last season.
Now, as he is fully recovered from the knee injury, it’s a hamstring that has kept the former blue-chip prospect off the field so far during fall camp.
With his injury history, it is hard to count on Stellato this season, but getting him back could prove to be beneficial for a wide receiver group that has lacked speed on the perimeter in recent seasons. After Saturday’s scrimmage at Death Valley, head coach Dabo Swinney intimated there was a chance Stellato could return this week.
“Maybe we’ll get Stellato out there next week,” Swinney said. “Who knows?”
Swinney knows as well as anyone what a healthy Stellato could mean for the Clemson offense, but like everyone else, he is ready to see it.
“Let me tell you, that kid can play,” Swinney said. “You know, I’m tired of talking about it. He can play there’s no doubt about it. It’s just a matter of he’s got to be on the field. He can’t play if he ain’t on the field.”
Back in 2019 and prior to his arrival at Clemson, Stellato produced back-to-back 4.4-second 40-yard dash times at The Opening Miami, finishing as the second-fastest participant in talent-rich south Florida. Any offense would benefit from that type of speed.
For now, Swinney is just hopeful that Stellato can finally trade in that yellow non-contact jersey he is so often spotted in at practice and return to the practice field. If that happens, the head coach is confident he can help this Clemson offense. It’s just a matter of Stellato finally being healthy and staying that way.
“It’s not that he doesn’t want to be on the field,” Swinney said. “It’s just… it’s been a rough couple of years for him. Hopefully, he’s back sooner than later. He can compete if he gets back. He can compete with anybody out there.”
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