Former Clemson Star is Finally Breaking Out Before Our Eyes

Clemson Tigers fans will very fondly remember Tee Higgins, who helped lead Clemson to a national championship during the 2018-19 campaign and posted back-to-back incredible seasons with Clemson to end his collegiate career.

Higgins was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and it didn't take him long to start producing, rattling off 908 receiving yards during his rookie year and then tallying consecutive 1,000-yard showings in 2021 and 2022.

Then, things kind of went off the rails for Higgins.

Higgins was limited by nagging injuries the next couple of seasons, playing in 12 games in each of the next two campaigns. Last year, Higgins missed a couple of more contests, so he was once again not fully healthy, but he managed to make his first Pro Bowl after catching 59 passes for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns.

It still wasn't quite what everyone expected from Higgins, though, especially based on what we saw in the early stages of his NFL career.

However, it appears that the Clemson product is finally breaking out.

Through five games thus far in 2026, Higgins has logged 27 catches for 423 yards and a touchdown, averaging 15.7 yards per catch. His big-play ability has been front and center, and he is actually on pace to total 1,438 receiving yards this season.

That would be, by far, a career high for the 27-year-old, and it could finally represent the turning point in what has otherwise been a frustrating NFL tenure for Higgins.

Of course, Higgins has been playing behind Ja'Marr Chase — an obvious top-five receiver in the league — since his sophomore campaign, which has definitely hurt his numbers.

Regardless, many have still questioned whether or not Higgins would ever be able to establish himself as a legitimate No. 1 receiver elsewhere.

And considering the inconsistency we have seen from Higgins thus far, it's a fair concern.

But this year, Higgins is proving that he does have more in the tank that we haven't seen. Like in Week 4 when he hauled in 11 receptions for 157 yards.

In fact, between Weeks 2 and 4, Higgins had 90-plus yards each game, and that's even with Chase on the field. On top of that, Higgins has actually significantly outplayed Chase through the first five games of the Bengals' season.

We'll see if Higgins' production can continues and if he can stay healthy, but it's definitely looking good for the former Tiger.