Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney has offered up some interesting comments on the team's wide receiver situation.
The Clemson Tigers have a million and one question marks heading into 2026, but perhaps one area in which they can be really good is at wide receiver.
Yes, Clemson lost Antonio Williams to the NFL Draft, but it is returning T.J. Moore — who may very well be a first-round pick next year — and Bryant Wesco. Tyler Brown will be back, as well.
The Tigers also have three very exciting four-star freshmen in Naeem Burroughs, Gordon Sellars and Connor Salmin entering the fray.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney elaborated on the team's wide receiver situation this week, and he offered some rather interesting comment on the first-year pass-catchers.
“You put a lot of pressure on these freshmen because you are trying to evaluate the quarterbacks. Naeem Burroughs, (Sellars) and Salmin, they know nothing and that is kind of a double-edge sword a little bit,” Swinney said. “Yeah, that is kind of frustrating in the moment, but that is where we are, but by the end of spring, they got better and better and better. All three of those guys, and JuJu Preston got better."
Clemson Tigers receiver Naeem Burroughs. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.So clearly, Burroughs and Co. are very raw, but they have been showing improvement throughout spring practice, which is a great sign moving forward.
It's entirely possible that Burroughs in particular could earn significant playing time next fall, and with so many of Clemson's top receivers not participating in spring workouts, he and the other youngsters have been able to flash their ability.
“They got a ton of reps. They might not have got as many if (the other guys were there)," Swinney added.
Of course, the Tigers' main source of concern right now is at the quarterback position, where they will have a new starter for the first time in several years now that Cade Klubnik is on his way to the NFL.
Christopher Vizzina appears to be in the driver's seat to win the job, and while he has looked impressive this spring, there is also no doubt that the jury is out on the redshirt junior.
Vizzina will have to rely a whole lot on his receivers to make his job easier, so we will see if any of the freshmen can step up and help him in 2026.
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