Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says this true freshman wide receiver is developing in the “crockpot.”

During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Swinney spoke about where Juju Preston is now in his development after enrolling at Clemson this past summer.   

“He’s in the crockpot. He’s cooking,” Swinney said. “He’s one of those guys that we see flash at practice.”

Preston, a Virginia state record holder coming off a prolific prep career, has dealt with various injuries but is practicing now.

“He’s been hurt a lot since he got here. He’s had hamstrings and different things,” Swinney said. “But he’s practicing and competing.”

Swinney joked that Preston is slim like a “microphone,” but he’s added 15 pounds since arriving at Clemson. He is listed at 6-foot-0, 155 pounds on the Tigers’ official roster.  

“I know he looks like this microphone, but he’s put on 15 pounds,” Swinney said. “He’s really developing. He was a very skinny kid when he showed up here, very underdeveloped physically. But that’s never affected him. He’s always played big, he’s always played strong, even though he really isn’t big or strong. But he’s really developing. I’ve been proud of Juju. When he showed up here, you could tell he was a little overwhelmed. … He has bought in. He’s been one of the best guys in Power Hour.”

Preston has yet to appear in a game for the Tigers this season, so he can play in four of the remaining five regular season games and still maintain his redshirt.

“He’s doing some good things, and hopefully he’ll have a chance to maybe get some snaps somewhere throughout the rest of the season,” Swinney said.

Preston was credited with 185 receptions for 3,700 yards and 67 touchdowns during his prep career. He is the all-time receiving touchdown leader in Virginia state history.

A former three-star recruit, Preston transferred to Hayfield Secondary School for his senior season in 2024 after helping Freedom High School to the Class 6 VHSL State Championships in 2022 and 2023, going 28-0 over those two seasons. He left Freedom as its all-time receiving leader after only three years.

The stock is pointing up for Preston, Swinney says.

“He’s a kid that the arrow is up by his name,” Swinney said. “He has attacked the weight room. So, he’s in the crockpot and making progress. He’s one of those guys that I think if he sticks with it, he’ll be a good player.”