Although Dabo Swinney hasn’t been aggressive in the transfer portal, he has still put together some impressive high school recruiting classes. That’s been a huge advantage for him over the last decade, as he typically recruits with the best in college football.
It was no different for Clemson in the high school class of 2024, as they signed several high-profile recruits.
Among those recruits was Bryant Wesco Jr., a 6-foot-2 four-star wide receiver from Texas who was the 11th-best wide receiver in the nation and the eighth-best prospect in Texas.
Making an impression as a freshman at a university like Clemson is no easy task.
With the transfer portal now as widespread as it is in college sports, fewer and fewer freshmen get the chance to prove to their fans that they are as good as their high school rankings suggest.
However, Wesco should be given the opportunity to do so.
ESPN’s Max Olson and Eli Lederman compiled their list of “the 100 best newcomers in college football this season,” which includes the Midlothian High School graduate.
“Wesco, the Tigers’ second-highest-rated prospect in the class of 2024, had a strong spring practice and then added 10 pounds to his roster weight over the summer. Clemson returns veteran pass catchers in Tyler Brown, Troy Stellato and Antonio Williams, and Cade Klubnik will play quarterback again this fall. Since Dabo Swinney took over in 2009, the Tigers have been led in pass catches by a freshman six times. Could Wesco be next?”
Clemson’s offense should be much improved from last year. That will ultimately depend on what Cade Klubnik does as a leader. After some positive signs during the preseason, expectations are high for him.
Clemson also struggled with some injuries on that side of the football in 2023. It was the most disappointing season in recent history.
As a rookie, he will likely face a lot of teething issues, but if he can prove himself to be a viable option as a third or fourth WR, that would be a positive sign.
Clemson has a long tradition of producing elite-level wide receivers, and the wide receiver department has made it clear that they want to get back to being considered the best in college football.
Wesco and others will help you with this.
In their first game against Georgia on Saturday in Atlanta, they have a great opportunity to prove to the world that their offense and wide receiver team are back and better than ever.
