Clemson football wants 'Wide Receiver U' title back. Here's how Tigers aim to reclaim it

CLEMSON — It's been a while since Clemson football had a claim for "WRU" — Wide Receiver University.

The Tigers flourished with talented wideouts under coach Dabo Swinney , stars like DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Mike Williams, Justyn Ross, Amari Rodgers and Tee Higgins — all of them with at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Yet Clemson has not had that production in the past three seasons, failing to make the College Football Playoff and falling out of "WRU" conversations.

Junior wide receiver Adam Randall , the most experienced receiver at Clemson, is aiming to restore its reputation. He gifted his fellow wideouts "WRU" T-shirts, with an added phrase at the bottom.

"Prove it."

"I wanted to bring that element back into the room, instill confidence in the room and show that I'm confident in my teammates," said Randall, who attended Myrtle Beach High School in South Carolina. "I just wanted them to go out there and be 'Wide Receiver U' like I know they can be."

The Tigers have not had a receiver record more than 1,000 receiving yards, earn an All-ACC honor and be selected in the NFL draft in the past three years. The group has lacked explosive plays, especially last season, when Clemson finished 9-4 and were last in the conference in passing yards per attempt at 6.3.

The receiver unit recognizes it has not lived up to the billing.

"We haven't proven it these last couple of years," said wide receiver Antonio Williams, who went to Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, South Carolina. "That's the standard here. Three, four or five years ago, we were at that point where we were mentioned as 'Wide Receiver U.'

"As a group, we have to have the mentality to get back there and just not say it, but go prove it this year."

The Tigers' 2024 receiving corps has the makings to return to the "WRU" conversation. After injuries decimated the group last season, Swinney is confident in its depth, as well as the rapport the unit is building with quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has worked on getting the ball out quicker to his skill players.

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During preseason practices, defensive players like R.J. Mickens and Khalil Barnes spoke on how the offense is playing with more freedom, putting playmakers in space and challenging the defense more. For Swinney, it's about the offense's maturation that has led to competitive practices.

"It ain't about plays. It's about players," Swinney said. "We're a more experienced group."

Williams enters his third season in better shape after battling injuries that limited him to only five games in 2023. Sophomore Tyler Brown, who attended Greenville Senior High School in South Carolina, looks to repeat last year's success after leading the team in receptions (52) and yards (531).

Redshirt junior Troy Stellato practiced in the spring for the first time and is healthy for preseason practices. Randall has the combination of physical and athletic tools to be a force, too.

Then there are two freshmen who have impressed coaches and teammates in Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. Both are "ballers," according to Williams, who possess prominent speed, can make acrobatic catches and are sharp route runners.

"Freak athletes," Brown said. "Physically, could gain a little more weight, but in my eyes, they're going to be some problems. No question."

Clemson hopes healthy and elevated wide receiver play will pay dividends in offensive coordinator Garrett Riley 's second season. There's pressure on the team to return to the playoffs and for the receiver unit to be better. Williams is confident he and the Tigers can deliver.

"It's a good type of pressure. You got to embrace it," Williams said. "I want to be the guy that gives us that title back."

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football wants 'Wide Receiver U' title back. Here's how Tigers aim to reclaim it