CLEMSON — It was a scary landing.

That is the best way to describe how Clemson’s Bryant Wesco, Jr., came down on his head in last October’s game against SMU.

Wesco was injured during a third-quarter punt return, in which he was flipped up in the air by an SMU defender and landed on his head. Though he got up and walked off the field, Wesco eventually left the game and was transported to a nearby hospital.

“They took him to the hospital to check him out. It is a pretty serious deal, so keep him in your prayers,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game.

It was very serious. Wesco suffered a back injury and though he was allowed to go home the next day, his season was over.

“Prayers answered. Just a blessing, kind of best-case scenario,” Swinney said the Monday after the SMU game. “It was a very, very scary injury, and the doctors did an amazing job. … Again, a very scary injury and a lot of unknowns for the first 24 hours or so…

“He’s done for the year, for sure, but the doctors are very confident he’ll make a full recovery.”

Luckily for the Clemson wide receiver there were no fractures. However, he flew to Pittsburgh, Pa., to see Dr. David Okonkwo, one of the top neurosurgeons in the world, the same surgeon that performed Justyn Ross’s spinal fusion surgery in 2020.

“He flew to Pittsburgh (on October 27) to see the doctor up there, just to get another opinion… Both the doctors are on the exact same page and have advised him on what he needs to do moving forward,” Swinney said at the time. “But he’s doing great, and again, very, very fortunate that it wasn’t worse.

“The prognosis and long-term projection of everything is great. Expect him to make a full recovery and all that stuff.”

If Wesco is full go, he should be ready to go for the Tigers when they begin spring drills this coming Wednesday.

Last year, he was having an All-ACC caliber season when the injury occurred. At the time of the injury, he was leading the conference with 537 yards through six games, as well as an ACC leading six touchdown receptions.

Though Wesco gives the Tigers another big-time playmaker on offense, he still has some things to improve on. In particular, catching the football. At one point last year, he was tied for the national lead in drops.

“There’s still more there, and that will happen as he just stays within the program and progresses,” Swinney said. “And then just from a technique, fundamental standpoint, he’s really gotten better there. He’s a very smart player. He really understands the game. He understands defense. Again, as he continues to physically get better, I think he’ll even be a better finisher on the ball.”