How Frank Ladson Jr. can be vertical threat for Clemson

CLEMSON — Explosive plays are the name of the game in college football. To put points on the board, offenses need to find a way to get chunk plays to create scoring opportunities. The best way to accomplish this is with the vertical passing game.

Frank Ladson Jr. has proven to have the top-end speed and playmaking ability to be a factor in Clemson’s vertical attack.

The former top-50 recruit was a major recruiting win for Clemson in the class of 2019. The 6-foot-3 receiver committed to the Tigers on his unofficial visit to campus in April 2018 after previous visits to Florida, Florida State, and Miami. The blue-chip wideout was an All-American Bowl selection after averaging 22.7 yards per catch and scoring 13 touchdowns his senior season playing for Miami South Dade Senior High.

In 16 collegiate games, that big-play ability has translated to the college level.

Ladson enters his third season with Tigers having recorded 27 receptions for 409 yards. The outside receiver is averaging 15.1 yards per catch and has already scored six touchdowns. The explosive receiver produced these numbers while dealing with injuries as a sophomore in 2020.

The injury bug followed the junior into spring practice as Ladson suffered an unknown injury during the middle of spring practice. The third-year receiver had to be held out for the rest of the practice sessions. Ladson needed some minor surgery to fix the issue but is expected to be full-go when the season opener arrives in September. Clemson is going to need his playmaking ability on the outside.

Cornell Powell emerged as Clemson’s vertical threat last season as the outside receiver scored seven touchdowns and averaged 16.6 yards per catch. The redshirt senior became Trevor Lawrence’s second favorite target behind Amari Rodgers and gave the Tigers someone who could stretch the defense. Clemson will be looking for someone to become that for D.J. Uiagalelei in 2021.

Frank Ladson Jr. is one of many high-profile wide receiver recruits on Clemson’s roster. (Photo by John Byrum/Getty Images)

With five former top-100 wide receiver recruits on the roster, the competition for playing time will be fierce. In the spring, we saw Joseph Ngata and Ajou Ajou step up to the plate. True freshmen Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins looked the part. Ladson has his work cut out for him.

However, the junior has proven in games that the ability to make plays is there. Ladson can give the offense some vertical playmaking at the field wide receiver position. Don’t be surprised if the player with South Florida speed becomes a vertical playmaker for Tony Elliott’s offense in 2021.