CLEMSON- Dabo Swinney has always maintained that he runs a developmental program at Clemson.
On Saturday night, in the Tigers 66-20 thrashing of App State in the team’s home-opener, fans got glimpses of multiple freshman that are expected to heavily contribute over the next few years. However, it was the two freshmen receivers that most had been wanting to see.
After combining to play just 18 snaps in the blowout loss to Georgia last weekend, Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore both had their coming out party against the Mountaineers.
While Moore showed flashed of what is to come, it was Wesco that had the biggest impact, catching a 76 yard touchdown pass on the Tigers’ third offensive play and opening a record-setting scoring barrage that led to 35 points in the opening quarter and 56 in the first half.
“Wesco, obviously got his first start,” Swinney said after the win. “Just awesome right out of the gate. Just an awesome, awesome start for that young man.”
Wesco would finish the night with three catches for 130-yards, with the one touchdown. He would add a 51 yard reception on the Tigers’ second offensive series, setting up a short touchdown run by Cade Klubnik that made 14-0.
It wouldn’t be long before Moore got in on the fun. The freshman would record 3 catches for 44 yards. Just like Wesco, Moore would catch his first touchdown, a 33 yarder in the first quarter that gave the Tigers a commanding 28-0 lead.
When asked about the performances after the victory, Swinney talked about how important it is for the program that both players are set to be on campus for the next three or four years and not just for one semester, in what appeared to be a subtle way of reminding the public that his philosophy of not heavily recruiting the portal is working.
“He and TJ, just two special dudes and they are not guys that are just here for a semester,” Swinney quipped. “They are going to be here awhile. They get to grow up in our program.”
The head coach then went on to credit wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham for the part he played in landing the former 5-star talents, as well as the work he has done in putting the entire group of wideouts together.
“Two special dudes man,” Swinney said. “That is why we went and signed them. Grish has done an awesome job in recruiting and putting that group together and those were two huge, huge gets. Those two, they have a chance to be great, great, great.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
Local News
Comments / 0