When hired as Clemson’s offensive coordinator in 2023, Garrett Riley inherited what many would consider to be an incredibly unassuming Clemson receiving core. With zero receivers eclipsing even 700 yards in the two seasons following Trevor Lawrence’s tenure, the group that once boasted NFL talent such as Deandre Hopkins, Tee Higgins, Sammy Watkins, and a slew of NFL talent had become a genuine liability on the roster.
Now, entering his third season as playcaller, Riley appears to have constructed what he deems to be an elite pass-catching nucleus around Cade Klubnik, and spent the majority of his time at Clemson’s media day touting the weaponry at the Tigers disposal this season:
“We have depth that we truly trust. A bunch of dependable guys that can win some one-on-one matchups, be in the right spots, make plays. That’s what we want from that room.
We got some explosive people. We got good variety. We don’t just have a mixture of the same guy over and over again in our room. I think it’s an explosive room, I think it’s a hungry room, I think it’s a room that’s matured. I think our leadership in that room is as good as it’s been since i’ve been here”
Garrett Riley
Clemson is seeing all three of their leading receivers from last season return for 2025, with Freshman All-American Tyler Brown returning and electrifying transfer Tristain Smith joining the group. Riley displays a good understanding of the strengths of such a core, with Wesco and Moore showing their elite one-on-one contested catch ability last season (and Smith crafting a jump ball masterclass in the spring game). Williams and Brown have proved themselves to be incredibly crafty and agile receivers on the inside, with the ability to create explosive plays with nothing but a little space and the ball in their hands.
While the quality of talent is among the best in the nation, the sheer quantity of playmakers is what makes this group truly stand out. Riley emphasized the critical role depth plays in a successful season.
“That’s how we want this room. We want a deep room where you can rotate guys, it’s a long season. That’s my background, that’s where I can from offensively. You have 6-8 guys, you play them a lot and you rotate them. What that does is it allows you to be fresh throughout the game, so that you’re strong in the fourth quarter when it really counts. And then from a big picture standpoint just being fresh as much as you can throughout the season.”
The final element that’s shined throughout the spring for Riley has been the chemistry between Cade and his receivers. With such a vast majority of returning players, the now third year quarterback has developed a truly remarkable relationship with his wideouts on the field:
“That chemistry is a real thing. Having that camaraderie, having that chemistry and dependability with quarterback to receiver and that relationship is such a huge factor.”
Clemson’s offense is entering this season with amplified aspirations. With an ACC title defense, a potential Klubnik Heisman campaign, and hopes of a meaningful playoff run, a return to the “WRU” nature the Tigers displayed throughout the 2010s would do wonders for such a prestigious program. With 46 days until kickoff, fans are right to be excited for what’s to come in the fall.
