'Wide Receiver U' Ready to Debut in Atlanta

CLEMSON — Clemson’s wide receivers are wearing confidence this season, and they even have shirts to prove it.

After battling injuries in 2023, the wide receiving core is healthy and already embracing the “Wide Receiver University” shirts distributed by Adam Randall during the spring.

Randall shared the receivers’ swagger is backed by confidence in their abilities and work ethic. He brought back the shirts, which displayed Clemson’s famous moniker for almost a decade, to instill pride again in the unit.

“I really can see us being one of the top wide receiver units in the country if we go out there and play like how we’re supposed to play,” he said. “I want the guys to know and feel that Clemson is still a place that produces highly talented wide receivers and that’s what we’re going to show this year.”

Clemson’s “Wide Receiver U” includes veteran receivers like Randall and Antonio Williams, but also welcomes the additions of acclaimed freshmen, such as Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore to the group. Sophomore safety Khalil Barnes was asked how these freshmen impacted practice this offseason.

“Both of them are just competitors,” he said. “Clemson recruits really good people off the field, but on the field, they have to switch. They turn over and they’re in dog mode… They’re going to be fun to watch this season.”

Barnes shared that he goes up against last year’s breakout star Tyler Brown every day in practice. Their joint motivation each day is to push each other.

“Right after we get in the locker room we dap each other up, but before practice, we tell each other to give it all, so when we get out there Saturday there’s nothing I haven’t faced that I shouldn’t be ready for,” Barnes said. “I feel like I get the best look for him every day of the week and it’s been like that since we got here.”

Brown stepped into a prominent role in 2023 after injuries sidelined five receivers throughout the season. The then true freshman led the team in catches and accounted for 531 yards of offense.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik shared that with Brown and his other receivers, “You just put it in their direction and you know they’re going to come down with it.”

Klubnik, Randall, and the rest of the offense have their first opportunity to debut 2024’s “WRU” this Saturday (Noon, ABC) when the Tigers travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Aflac Kickoff Classic.