Clemson football: Can Justyn Ross have DeVonta Smith-type season?

Missing all of 2020 was a devastating blow for Justyn Ross, especially since he was forced to watch DeVonta Smith break out and take college football by storm.

That was supposed to be Ross in 2020.

Everyone was talking about how he might be the best receiver in the country during spring ball but the Clemson football star suffered an injury that cost him his entire junior season with the Tigers. He was forced to watch the Tigers make it to the playoff without him, but he had to be happy for Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell who both broke out and are now in the NFL.

Back to full health this offseason after a year of rehab, can Ross do what Smith did for Alabama last year and become the best receiver in the country and contend for the Heisman while leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff?

Can the Clemson football star be the next DeVonta?

Short answer: absolutely.

But here’s why.

DJ Uiagalelei is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country so those expecting a massive dropoff from Trevor Lawrence will be eating plenty of crow for dinner this season. On top of that, the run game won’t be quite as dominant so I’d bet the passing attack takes center stage and Ross is the leader of that group. He’s the best receiver the Tigers have but he’s also not the only weapon so teams won’t be able to double him regularly.

As long as Ross hasn’t completely lost his explosion and that step, he’s going to be one of the top three receivers in college football in 2021.

Through two seasons, Ross has 112 catches for 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns and it seems like he’s only scratched the surface.

DeVonta had just over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdown catches on 118 receptions through his first three seasons with Alabama. He had about 1,000 fewer yards than Ross through two collegiate seasons.

It’s not crazy to believe that a first-round draft prospect in the country with a 6-4, 205-pound frame will have a monster season, rivaling that of Smith’s in 2020.

Expect at least 1,200 yards and around 10-15 touchdowns for Ross, if not more, and an All-American type season, at the very least.