Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at each position on the football team to examine where each player stands right now in his group on the depth chart. We will look back on the 2014 season for analysis and attempt to forecast what the 2015 depth chart might look like in a few months, including early thoughts on the mid-year enrollees. Today, we continue with a look at the “2” (field) receiver position…
- Artavis Scott, Jr.
After spending much of his freshman season as a safety valve or a horizontal part of the running game, Scott enjoyed a similar season during his encore campaign. The rising junior was at his best within the confines of the screen game as a volume receiver who caught at least six passes in nine of the 15 games the Tigers played in 2014.
Scott’s per-catch average dropped, but his overall production rose as Clemson progressed toward a national championship. In the absence of Mike Williams, Scott became the most experienced wideout with a developed rapport with Deshaun Watson. That relationship should only improve next season, when both will be third-year players that have combined for more than 100 completions over the past two seasons.
After his freshman season, Scott’s biggest challenge from the coaching staff was to become a better all-around threat by expanding his ability to get open down the field. When Williams went out with an injury, Scott wasn’t considered an option to replace him as the go-to vertical receiver. This indicates there is still a great deal of work to be done before Scott has the trust of the coaching staff to help stretch the field.
- Ray-Ray McCloud, So.
McCloud might seem more suited for the slot, and realistically, he should spend the majority of his time there in 2016. However, in the Alabama game, McCloud was listed on the depth chart here at the “2” position, and here he shall remain, for now.
The freshman showed off his playmaking skills underneath during his inaugural campaign. His quickness and slippery nature were put on display in the screen game and via the jet sweep on occasion. McCloud’s influence waned as the season progressed, but much of that was due to an injury that caused him to miss three weeks of action.
Certainly, McCloud could stand to get bigger and stronger this offseason, but ball security was a particular problem for him in 2015. The disappearing act he experienced down the stretch was likely due to his propensity to put the ball on the ground. On a team with few such offenders, that stood out a great deal.
- Germone Hopper, RS Sr.
At the bottom of the pecking order at the “2” is Hopper, the odd man out in many respects. Although he was slotted above McCloud at the end of the season, progress and maturation from the younger player has this observer thinking the two will probably swap spots by the spring. Also, with McCloud almost a sure thing to move inside to the slot, Hopper should continue to get opportunities.
Hopper is an interesting case of a guy who seems to have nine lives. Plenty of factors have threatened to block him out of the rotation over his career. Poor work ethic, injuries, inconsistent play, recruiting better players—these issues came up time and time again, causing many (including me) to question whether Hopper might end up on another roster or at the bottom of the depth chart. But the guy made 21 catches a season ago, so he’s still alive and kicking.
In the biggest games of Clemson’s season, Hopper was nowhere to be found, getting shut out in each of the Tigers’ three postseason contests. He seems destined to be a veteran reserve on a team chocked full of talent at wide receiver and set to add even more of it to the fold. I’d expect Hopper to make a minor impact on next season in his final try as a Tiger.