Unsung Hero's of WRU

Everyone familiar with the Clemson Tigers football team understands the ultra-talented wide receivers they have on the field.

CLEMSON-- Everyone familiar with the Clemson Tigers football team understands the ultra-talented wide receivers they have on the field.

Whether it is Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross or the true freshmen Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson, there is no doubt about the talent that the Tigers have running around on opposing defenses. But when the pundits are naming the players they are expecting to have big years for the Tigers they are forgetting two names: Diondre Overton and Cornell Powell.

"At wideout, Diondre Overton is a guy that has been a real pleasant surprise being able to compete and obviously being versatile and being able to go to multiple positions," co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. "I'm trying to think, at wide out, just Diondre Overton, you know, is a guy that's been a real, real pleasant surprise, being able to compete and then obviously being able to versatile. Being able to go to multiple positions throughout the receiving corps been really, really good

When wide receiver Amari Rodgers went down this spring with a torn ACL, it was the senior Overton who seized the opportunity to make a name for himself. 

"I wouldn't say he's the clear cut favorite, but I've been impressed," Elliott said. "When you talk about the three receiver positions, the one that is a little bit unique is that slot position because you ask that guy to do a few different things. He's usually your quicker twitch guy, your smaller guy, creating matchups - but he jumped in there day one. I'm proud of him. He sees an opportunity. I wouldn't say it's clear cut. We'll have to go through the competition between him, Cornell (Powell), and TJ (Chase) and see who becomes the guy, but for a bigger guy - what you may not think is an easy transition - he's made it seamlessly so far. 

"I think that for him being a senior, he understands the importance of leadership and the importance of versatility. He wants to play at the next level and this has been a good opportunity for him."

However it was not only Overton who has risen to the challenge issued by the coaching staff--as Powell has also caught the attention of the Tiger coaches for all of the right reasons.

The redshirt junior enters 2019 with 25 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown in 369 snaps over 27 games in his career, and has also posted seven kickoff returns for 182 yards prior to the 2019 campaign.

"Powell's been pretty good. He's a guy that obviously was coming off a situation last year and missed a lot of reps, but he's jumped in there," Elliott said. "They've all had opportunities to make plays. I think that they all could be a little more consistent at times, but they're still learning. We've had them at different positions. (Co-offensive coordinator) Jeff (Scott) does a great job of rotating those guys and challenging them on a daily basis to operate in different situations at different positions. 

"They've all been doing a good job and they have some big shoes to fill. That was Hunter Renfrow's position and obviously he kind of made the trademark for what that guy is supposed to be in the Clemson offense."

Regardless of what the Tigers rotation at wide receiver looks like, there is little doubt that they will be just fine when all is said and done--in part because of the young and very talented receivers, and in part due to the wily veterans who have bided their time and paid their dues.

"When it's all said and done, when we get to first string, we're going to have a guy in there or a combination of guys that are going to be able to fill that void," Elliott said.