Dabo Swinney praises rebuilt receiver room for creating 'the fastest team we've had'

The peak of Clemson‘s offensive success has been highlighted by an explosive passing game, which has not been the case for the Tigers in the last two seasons. Clemson averaged 232.4 yards in the air per game last season and 191.2 the year before, the team’s lowest outputs since 2010.

But head coach Dabo Swinney believes that with some better injury fortune, his current wide receiver room has the potential to shine, revealing what his 2023 pass catchers bring to the table at ACC Media Days.

“First of all we’re healthy, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to say that. Obviously, we had several guys not out there this spring, we signed four guys that we’re excited about that I think gives us an infusion of speed and talent,” Swinney said. “But this is on paper the fastest team we’ve had, we had the most guys that we’ve ever had run more than 20 miles per hour. This is also probably the most accountable team we’ve had in about the last six or seven years. But it all goes back to being healthy.”

If the Tigers can finally avoid the injury bug this upcoming season, it sounds like the athleticism and intangibles of their wide receiver room can bring Clemson’s passing attack back to an elite level. As Swinney revealed which players he believes will make an impact this year.

“It all starts with Beaux Collins, and Antonio (Williams), and Cole (Turner), Adam (Randall), and (Brannon) Spector,” Swinney said. “Those five guys I think really give us a special group. And then we added Noble Johnson, and Ronan Hanafin, and Tink Kelley, and Tyler Brown, guys that really bring a lot to the table. So we’ve got depth, and we’ve got just a room full of speed and athleticism.”

Only two of Swinney’s mentioned wide receivers enter the 2023 season as upperclassmen, but he’s confident that they all have enough experience to get the job done this season. Especially Collins’, who has shined in moments during his career with the Tigers despite battling injuries throughout.

“But Cole got some good experience, Adam came off the knee but he’s still got a lot of experience, Atonio’s a freshman All-American, and then Beaux Collins he’s a pro man,” Swinney said. “He’s outstanding, we just gotta catch a little bit of luck and stay healthy. He had a good freshman year, last year was off to a great start, obviously missed some time with injuries and then shoulder surgery in the offseason, missed spring. But he looks great and if that kid’s on the field, good things are gonna happen. So it starts with those guys and we’ll add the depth as we go.”

Clemson will likely start the season healthy in their opening matchup versus Duke, but being able to stay healthy throughout the season will be a major factor in them taking a step up in the passing game this upcoming season as they look to defend their ACC title.