Clemson receiver making a habit of spectacular catches
In just two years, Tee Higgins is quickly gaining a reputation for making dramatic, highlight-reel catches.
On Saturday, the Clemson sophomore made another one with a juggling one-handed grab during the second quarter of the 30-3 playoff victory over Notre Dame that has the Tigers in their third national title game in four years.
“He made the same exact catch last year against The Citadel. I think it was his first touchdown actually,” Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers said during media day at Clemson’s indoor practice facility “It was pretty awesome seeing that again. It brought me back and I was like bro’ you keep doing those crazy catches, what’s next? I was excited for him.”
The catch Rodgers was referring to against The Citadel was when Higgins scooped up a pass falling to the ground that was deflected by two Bulldogs’ defenders in the end zone. He also made a one-handed catch during that game that went for 78 yards, which Higgins thought was better than Saturday’s grab.
But Saturday’s catch came on a much bigger stage and in a big moment and also after Higgins dropped an easy catch earlier in the game and he went and did 15 push-ups after the drop.
Higgins redeemed himself in a big way later in the first half. Clemson scored to go up 16-3 and forced a three-and-out and got the ball back on its own 20 with 48 seconds left.
The Tigers got it to the 19-yard line. Then Higgins got the one-on-one matchup he hoped for on the outside against Notre Dame’s Donte Vaughn. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw the pass that was deflected by Vaughn but grabbed by Higgins, who made a one-handed catch falling to the ground.
Higgins’ catch has been played countless times on ESPN and was in SportsCenter’s Top 10.
“My mom was proud of me and was asking me how I made the catch,” Higgins said. “The play was set up for me to get one-on-one coverage and it worked out pretty well. Trevor threw it up to me and gave me a chance. I got a hand on it and kept concentration.
“That is the type of catch you got to have concentration. coach (Jeff) Scott is always telling us to focus on the ball and keep our concentration.”
Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow initially thought Higgins might have been out of bounds on the catch but wasn’t surprised that his teammate made that kind of catch.
“I honestly didn’t think he was in. I told coach (Jeff) Scott on the sideline,” I didn’t think he was in but I am glad he was. That is Tee. He makes unbelievable plays and is just a dynamic player. He is just fun to watch.”
Higgins leads Clemson in receptions (52), yards (804) and touchdowns (10) this season and is part of a talented receiving corps that includes Rodgers, Renfrow and freshman Justyn Ross.
“We just have non-stop hard work, we keep going and push each other to be better each day in practice,” Higgins said of the receivers. “We all have a great mindset.”