Clemson ‘blown away’ by freshman tight end Garrett Williams

Clemson’s coaching staff expected some younger players would boost the tight end group, but even they’re surprised that one of August’s standouts is a freshman.

Garrett Williams, a product of The First Academy in Orlando, Fla., has leapt from off the radar to a sure first-year player after enrolling this summer. He’s accomplished that at a position that isn’t lacking for bodies.

It’s a far cry from the Russell Athletic Bowl last December, where new offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott had one of their scholarship tight ends from fall camp on hand. Coach Dabo Swinney’s pick for the ‘surprise’ unit of ’15 could run seven-deep — from junior Jordan Leggett to senior Stanton Seckinger to junior Jay Jay McCullough to sophomore D.J. Greenlee to the freshmen in Milan Richard and Cannon Smith (redshirts) and Williams.

A fullback in high school, Williams rushed for more than 1,200 yards with 21 scores last season. As a receiver, the 6-foot-2 target averaged 17.1 yards per catch on 15 receptions with one score.

While the transition in positions would seem to hold him back, Scott says the freshman’s already the most physical tight end in the mix, weighing in at 236 pounds to start camp.

“Jordan Leggett has improved a lot. Like where he is. Garrett brings something a little bit different to that group,” Scott said. “Coach Swinney will make his decisions as it goes (on redshirts), but if he’s a guy that plays this year it means we have a lot of confidence he can go in and have an impact and continue to grow in the offense.”

That decision is all but made per Swinney.

“He’s going to play,” Swinney said. “The kid is physically gifted. And we knew that. He’s powerful, explosive. He was a power-lifter in high school. You just never know until you start coaching guys what kind of aptitude they have from taking it out of the meeting room to the practice field and executing it at the tempo we play at.

“That’s just what we’ve been blown away by. Very, very, very few mistakes.”

Scott says Williams brings the whole package.

“We’ve had some guys around here that are just in fullback mode and that was their specialty and maybe they were a liability when they got outside,” said Scott. “Garrett has a good balance of both of those and that’s what you’re really looking for in that position. ... Again, he’s a freshman and he’s got to get experience to get his feet wet.

“There’s been a buzz about him this fall camp.”

According to Swinney, Williams’ success is no accident.

“This is a kid that’s a worker. You reap what you sow,” said Swinney. “He’s put that work in and he’s reaped the benefits. He came into camp very well prepared and put in all the time this summer working, studying, getting with older guys. And it showed up in practice. Really pleased with him. He brings a little something different to the group.

“We’re really happy with the group. We’ve got a special group of tight ends. He’s shown he can help us win.”

What about Jay Jay?

Starting camp, Swinney said he had “no expectations” for the junior McCullough, who’s missed significant time for off-the-field issues in the past year.

Scott said he’s had “a good fall camp.”

“Jay Jay has kind of been in that category that Germone Hopper’s in as far as talented and inconsistent,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that play into that on the field and off the field. Really, it’s been as smooth a three or four weeks as we’ve had with him.

“Now it’s a challenge of him (with school) of him staying consistent off the field so that he can have an opportunity on the field. He’s a talented player, but he just has to put it all together.”

Like Swinney, the first-year OC is reserving judgment.

“We’ve seen positive signs,” Scott said, “but we’ve also seen those before. We’re cautiously optimistic. He’s got to go out there to prove it week after week for him to really reinsert himself for major playing time.”

McCullough has 11 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown in 307 career snaps (two starts).

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Clemson ‘blown away’ by freshman tight end Garrett Williams."