Clemson Football: Tee Higgins’ upside makes him intriguing draft prospect

Tee Higgins has always been a touted prospect since his high school days, but will the Clemson football star be the first receiver drafted?

Tee Higgins, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound wide receiver from Clemson, declared for the 2020 NFL Draft following his junior year at Clemson after being a quick riser in his collegiate career.

In fact, started his collegiate career as a backup receiver and played in 13 games his freshman year.

In his sophomore year, he started all 15 games and was part of the national championship team and as a junior, he also started in all 15 games and went to New Orleans to play in the national title game for the second year in a row — however, Clemson was defeated by the LSU Tigers in that game.

Higgins went to Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and won the state’s 5-A Mr. Football award both as a junior and senior in high school. He was also a monumental part of the Oak Ridge basketball team while in high school, and was a top 20 recruit going into the 2017 season.

During his sophomore year, Higgins recorded 59 receptions, for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns and as a senior, he had 1,167 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. Higgins also posted a rushing touchdown in 2019 giving him 14 total scores for the season. He ended up posting 135 career receptions for 2,448 yards, 27 receiving touchdowns and one rushing attempt for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Higgins received first-team All-ACC recognition and finished his collegiate career tied for the most receiving touchdowns in school history with former Clemson players and now NFL stars, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins.

Strengths

Higgins has the ability to play to his long body frame in every game and his long strides help him gain ground on turns and posts. He has played all three receiver spots and can be used to create mismatches against cornerbacks.

In addition, Higgins makes proper adjustments to the ball almost every time, he is a reliable target in space against the zone, and he scored a touchdown on 20 percent of his catches during his career at Clemson.

Weaknesses

Higgins doesn’t have an imaginative press release and lacks physicality at the top of the route. He needs to improve on his ball adjustments on the move and needs to gain more upper-body strength for successful run blocks.

Draft Projection

Higgins scored well in the NFL Combine prospect grade, he received a 6.45, which translates into his ability to become a starter within the first two seasons. He has the ability makes play deep and in the red zone and will be a strong asset wherever he goes next. In my mock, I have Higgins going to the Buffalo Bills with the 22nd pick of the draft.

Projection: Mid-to-late first round (No. 22 to the Bills)