Missing Marquan

It’s been 11 seasons since a Clemson receiver failed to log at least 50 catches (1998, Brian Wofford had 35).

Gotta wonder whether the Tigers will have any receiver get there next year.

If you’d have asked me who their “No. 1” guy in 2010 would be before this past year, I wouldn’t have paused.

Marquan Jones.

The same Jones who went largely MIA since the 2-3 start.

He did not play at receiver the last two games and logged 21 total snaps the previous four games. He finished with three catches the final nine games and 9-176 on the season.

Found a preseason blog where I suggested the Tigers were in trouble at receiver if Jones didn’t emerge as the clear-cut No. 2 behind Jacoby Ford.

Certainly didn’t think WR destitution would reach the depths it did. And certainly didn’t think Jones would qualify for milk carton consideration.

My best guesses had been that Jones’ continued case of the dropsies, coupled with being a far inferior run-blocker than Terrance Ashe, had been the root of his depth chart demise. Before the bowl game, OC Billy Napier also said he’d like to see Jones improve in terms of knowing the nuances for getting the right depth on his routes, reading defenders and adjusting accordingly, that sorta thing.

Rising seniors Xavier Dye and Terrance Ashe proved serviceable complimentary players this year and probably haven’t gotten their just due for their impact in springing so many of C.J. Spiller’s perimeter runs.

Sophomore tight end Dwayne Allen is my odds-on favorite to be next year’s leading pass-catcher, and the staff – Dabo Swinney in particular – cannot quit gushing praise over sophomore Jaron Brown – whom, it should be noted, registered one catch since his disaster at Maryland, too.

It’s possible that redshirting freshman Bryce McNeal leapfrogs into the rotation at the slot and flanker positions. Commitment DeAndre Hopkins could avoid redshirt, but I don’t think he’s an instant impact guy.

Methinks the wild card is Jones, who has flashed some nifty run-after-catch ability in his limited touches.

“There was a big-time learning curve,” Jones said. “But more important than my playing time was the kind of season we had, getting to the ACC championship. My role is to be unselfish.”