Freshman Sensation or Sophomore Slump?
Some experts are expecting Clemson to produce major results on the field again this season. I see this happening because several of the key pieces are once again in place.
In my opinion, if the Tigers want to take the next step then
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile
needs to become the major threat he was as a freshman.
In that freshman campaign, Watkins had 82 receptions. Last year he had 57.
As a freshman, Watkins had 1,219 yards receiving. As a sophomore he had 708 receiving yards.
In 2012 he had 12 receiving touchdowns and 13 overall. In 2013 Watkins caught only three touchdowns and had four total.
He went from 32 carries for 231 yards as a freshman down to 14 carries for 97 yards as a sophomore.
In 2012 Watkins missed only one game. Last year he missed three games, and all but the first play of the LSU bowl game.
Sammy Watkins went from being one of the nation's most exciting and talked about players to being the second leading receiver on his own team.
Let's not forget, as a freshman Watkins had five games where he had over 100 yards receiving. Last year he had two. He had seven games where he caught at least seven passes as a freshman. Last year he recorded two games where he caught seven or more passes.
A major reason Clemson won 21 games over the past two seasons is they have had big play makers as well as great complimentary players. Watkins was a huge threat as a freshman but he had great support when Nuk Hopkins had 72 catches for 978 yards.
With Watkins suspended for the first two games of the season, Hopkins responded and became the number one threat and was good in his supporting role.
If Watkins wants to reach his full potential this year, the Tigers needs
Charone Peake
Charone Peake
Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile
,
Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile
,
Adam Humphries
Adam Humphries
Jr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile
or
Germone Hopper
Germone Hopper
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 175
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile
to step up and be the number two threat.
As a sophomore Watkins experienced a lot of adversity. He was suspended for the first two games and never seemed to recover. Defenses keyed on him a year ago. He got sick and missed the Boston College game and then missed the bowl game after the first play. He just never really had any momentum.
My guess is Watkins is ready to step back into the college football limelight again. I don't think we should be too surprised that Watkins, like many freshman stars of the past, suffered a sophomore slump.
Maybe it is a great compliment when a guy can miss four games, catch 57 passes for 708, and call it a sophomore slump.
Sometimes wide outs have down years after the quarterback graduates and quite often, the next quarterback does not have the ability or chemistry. This is not the case for Boyd and Watkins in 2013.
I believe Watkins is ready to make his run towards becoming a high pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. It seems he is physically ready and
Chad Morris
Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile
has every intention on using Watkins as the primary target in what should be a dynamic offense. I am encouraged because Morris seems to be innovative in ways to feature a wide out despite the defenses knowing they want to get the ball to him.
My guess is, Watkins was humbled a bit about one year ago and his work ethic has been intensified as a result.
He will have one of the nation's top quarterbacks delivering the ball to him. We also know that most of the offensive line returns to give
Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile
time to get the ball to Watkins.
So as we head into the summer months, my money is on Watkins heading back into that phone booth and once again emerging with a red cape on his back. I trust his fitness and condition. I trust his quarterback. I trust his offensive coordinator. But most importantly I trust his ability.
The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.
Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll,
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile
, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Travis Patterson, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, The Sturkey Family, the Lance family, Marcus Lattimore, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Patrick Heher, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Bill Early, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Johnnie Walker, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day plus their families.
Upgrade Your Account
