Is Artavis Scott the playmaker the Tigers have been looking for at wide receiver

Scott made a highlight-worthy grab on this play

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Sep 12 15:01:02 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – One of the biggest questions surrounding the Clemson offense entering the season was how Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile and Chad Morris Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile could replace playmakers like Sammy Watkins Sammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile and Martavis Bryant Martavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile .

Through two games, however, Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile has shown flashes of why he might be the playmaker the Tigers are looking for.

In the season opener at Georgia, Scott hauled in two passes for 41 yards, including a highlight-worthy 35-yard grab in which he leapt over the defender for the catch.

Last week against S.C. State, he caught six passes for 164 yards and scored two touchdowns, breaking Watkins’ record for most receiving yards in a game for a freshman. Those numbers earned him ACC Receiver of the Week honors.

In fact, about the only thing that has gone wrong for Scott occurred Saturday when he hauled in a pass from quarterback Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile , a 69-yarder in which he was pulled down just three yards short of the goal line. Scott said it was a disappointment, but didn’t spend too much time fretting. Why? He expects to have plenty of chances to score.

“I was disappointed in it, but it’s alright because I will have more opportunities,” Scott said with a smile. “I’m going to do the things I know I can do. It is probably happening a lot faster than I thought it would be. It was good that it happened and as fast as it did because it is getting me equipped and making me build more of my game so I can build every week.”

Scott has been one of the bright spots for the Clemson offense, and he said Wednesday in the WestZone that he has been a little surprised by his production through two games.

“I did not expect that coming out of the gate,” he said. “To be honest, all I was worried about was how I’m going to perform.”

Through the first two games of his Clemson career, Scott leads all Clemson wide receivers with 205 yards on eight catches. His 205 yards also rank second in the ACC, and he is averaging 25.6 yards per catch.

Scott credits his quick start on being able to enroll in school in January and take part in spring practice, building a rapport with Stoudt and Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile .

“Coming in this spring was big because I was able to get some work done,” Scott said. “I’m ahead in my school work and it allowed me to learn the system. I think it gave me a chance to play a little more so the coaches can trust me and know what I’m doing when I’m out there.”

Scott currently sits second on the depth chart behind senior Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 193
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , and he said he is more than happy to let the coaches make the decision on when he plays.

“When I get my opportunity, I’m going to go in there and take advantage of it,” he said.

His next chance will be at Florida St., and the Florida native who grew up as a fan of the Miami Hurricanes smiled brightly when asked about playing in Doak Campbell, a stadium he visited as a child.

“I can’t wait to go play at Florida State. It’s big,” he said. “I have been talking about it since I found out when we were going to play them. This upcoming week is big for us. I’m going back home and just living it. Now I’m about to be playing in their stadium, it is going to be huge. I can’t wait for it. It’s going to feel like I’m back at home because I have all my family members coming up and supporting me at the game. It’s going to be fun.”

However, Scott said he is going to look at the Seminoles the same way he looked at Georgia and South Carolina St. – as just another game.

“You have to treat it as another game,” he said. “I mean it is a big crowd and all that stuff, but I don’t really focus on that. When I go into a game, I focus on one thing and that is to get a win and do what I can do to help the team out. When we go out there it is going to be fun at the beginning when we are warming up and doing pregame, but when we go back out to play it’s game time.”