In Clemson’s 33-13 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday, the top-ranked Tigers recorded 381 receiving yards. One hundred and 20 of those yards came from Germone Hopper in just three receptions. The redshirt junior had a career high where he ended up averaging 40 yards per reception, which included a 47-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson.

Hopper was so good that he even caught the ball when he was out of bounds.

“I thought I was going to be in, but I felt myself kind of drifting towards out of bounds, but we take pride in Wide Receiver U. We try to catch any ball that comes to us no matter what,” Hopper said.

Hopper helped his team to extend their lead over the Demon Deacons in the first quarter of the game when he caught a 63-yard pass from Watson. He was just a few yards short of the end zone, but he put Clemson in  position to score as Watson connected with Deon Cain for an 11-yard touchdown pass two plays later.

Cain has now scored a touchdown in four consecutive games. That makes him the first Clemson freshman to accomplish that since Sammy Watkins. Hopper said that he’s proud of Cain’s success and how much he has grown throughout the season.

“He’s a great player. He has the chance to be one of the best around here. I just try to help those guys as I’m maturing through my career. I know some of the freshman mistakes they can make, and I just try to prevent those,” Hopper said.

For Hopper, the taste of success is sweet after battling through adversity. In 2014, Hopper had 27 receptions for 331 yards and three touchdowns, but he has faced spring suspension and inconsistency in his Clemson career. Now, the North Carolina native has 17 receptions for 284 yards and a touchdown, and he’s helping to mentor the freshmen receivers.

“That’s my boy. He’s been through a lot also throughout the season. And actually to see him progress like that, and really make plays like that, I was excited for him. I’m excited for all of our receivers,” Cain said.

Hopper was able to score his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter of the game, and he gave a lot of credit to Charone Peake for helping to inspire him to keep fighting to become a better player.

“I tell that dude I love him every chance I get. He is one of those dudes that has my back through whatever, and every time I’m in my down points in my career, he’s right beside me giving me encouraging words,” Hopper said. “He’s a great guy. I can’t harp on him enough.”

Peake is now part of the winningest senior class in Clemson’s history, and Hopper said that he was playing for Peake and all of the seniors that played their last down in Death Valley.

“This was a game for them, and like Coach Swinney said, all the undergraduates, the freshmen, juniors and sophomores, we just go out there and play for those guys. Send them out on a good note,” Hopper said.