By Heath Bradley.
The 2011 season was a season of ups and downs for Charone Peake. A highly ranked wide receiver out of nearby Dorman high school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Peake had flashes of brilliance in 2011, but also moments he would love to forget.
Peake had a key catch in the Auburn game in which he caught the ball, took a jarring hit, and held on for a Clemson first down. He also had a key catch in the ACC Championship game. However, the play that most will remember, and what has potentially driven Peake through this off-season, was the drop of a sure touchdown catch versus Boston College.
Peake said today while meeting with the media that he has worked the most on being consistent, “catching the easy ones”. While everyone knows Peake has great talent, he had to feel more confident in his own abilities and just go out and make plays without thinking too much about this.
This fall camp, coaches and teammates have raved about the progress Peake has made in his game. In an interview today, Adam Humphries, fellow receiver and Dorman teammate, went on about how talented Peake was, but most important, how hard of a worker he is. Humphries told reporters that Peake regularly stays after practice working on his hands for up to 30 minutes daily. His hard work has not gone unnoticed; his versatility has led to Chad Morris cross training him at numerous wide receiver positions.
Earlier in camp, Coach Swinney spoke to the camp that Peake has had, as well as his speed, one would believe that with Sammy Watkins suspended the first two games, Peake would be one of the main receivers looked at to fill the role. A player with his speed and playmaking ability at numerous receiver positions will offer Chad Morris with one more weapon to use in 2012.
This fall camp has allowed Peake to build a confidence that he will hopefully carry in 2012, a confidence that will not only help him to make the spectacular play, but the also the routine one, the one that the Tigers will often rely on Peake for. As we are less than two weeks from kickoff versus Auburn, there is no doubt Peake will be spending time after practice, working to perfect his craft, working hard to make the most of every opportunity in 2012.