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Clemson Clearly Has One Bright Spot That Should Keep Growing
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- Clemson Clearly Has One Bright Spot That Should Keep Growing
(Butch Dill-Imagn Images)
The Clemson Tigers have looked awful over the first two weeks of the season. Let's be honest: their 22-7 win over Georgia Southern did nothing to erase the memory of their 51-10 loss at the hands of LSU on opening night.
Clemson should have routed Georgia Southern on Saturday evening. Instead, it was a tight game for most of the way, and the Tigers were in some legitimate danger in the first half. At home, nonetheless.
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But while Clemson should get an "F" grade overall for its performance thus far in 2026, it's clear that the team has one bright spot: wide receiver T.J. Moore .
With the Tigers' offense struggling to get anything going on Saturday, Moore logged seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. That followed a pedestrian Week 1 showing in which he caught four passes for 31 yards, but at least he did something in Baton Rouge.
Heading into the campaign, there was genuine debate as to who Clemson's top receiver would be between Moore and Bryant Wesco. In fact, many favored the latter.
But I don't really think this is much of a question. The answer is obviously Moore.
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Moore may very well be the most disrespected receiver in the country right now, as you rarely see him mentioned as a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Sure, next spring's draft class is slated to be absolutely loaded at the wide receiver position. It could be one of the best receiver classes ever. But that doesn't mean Moore's name should be completely absent.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with incredible athleticism, Moore is the exact prototype you would expect out of a No. 1 wide out on the professional level, and he has some impressive production under his belt, as well.
Last year, for example, when Clemson's offense struggled to get anything going over the course of the campaign, Moore hauled in 52 receptions for 837 yards and four scores, averaging a hefty 16.1 yards per catch. He was also solid during his freshman season in 2024, snaring 45 balls for 651 yards while reaching the end zone five times.
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The Tigers do not exactly have the best quarterback situation at the moment, but that won't stop Moore from asserting himself as a dominant playmaker.
It's a shame, because Clemson's lack of clarity under center will almost certainly hurt Moore's draft stock due to the fact that he won't post the kind of numbers he should, but smart NFL front offices will recognize his potential.
I expect a great season from Moore this fall, even if the Tigers do not follow suit as a collective.
