Receivers aren’t usually on the Heisman Trophy radar, but that’ll change in 2019 with Clemson football’s Justyn Ross entering his sophomore year.
Clemson has one of the nation’s top Heisman candidates for 2019, and no, I’m not talking about Trevor Lawrence or Travis Etienne — but those two will also be in the running — but rather sophomore wide receiver Justyn Ross.
Lawrence was the biggest name on the Clemson offense last year and led them to a national title after taking over for Kelly Bryant and he had Etienne in the backfield behind him. Both were overwhelming stars and Ross even got some attention with 1,000 receiving yards, but he gets overlooked in the Heisman race because, well, receivers don’t usually win the award.
Not many freshmen can lead a national title-winning team in receiving yards, but he has barely scratched the surface. Ross is just built different and that’s what’s going to make him a true Heisman candidate in 2019.
Ross has the perfect quarterback to get him the ball — or at least in his wide radius — and the run game to keep the defense guessing. That’s going to lead to a number of deep balls like he had in 2018 where he averaged 21.7 yards per reception. He’s going to be a deep threat and so much more in 2019 and with his 6-4, 205-pound frame, he’ll also be a red-zone threat.
If you thought Ross’ 2018 numbers were impressive, just wait to see what he does in 2019 and where he finishes in Heisman voting.
Like the debate about who has the better quarterback, Alabama or Clemson, the discussion of nation’s best receiver will also come down to those two teams. But can one win the Heisman?