Leggett leading thin Clemson tight end corps

CLEMSON – It was just a year-and-a-half ago when Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett confessed that he wasn’t exactly the most diligent of practice players.

But maturity and necessity appear to have altered Leggett’s perspective.

Like or not, Leggett is logging more practice time than ever this spring thanks to a shortage of healthy bodies at his position.

The Tigers are essentially down to two tight ends – Leggett, a junior with eight career starts, and redshirt freshman Cannon Smith.

Redshirt freshman Milan Richard tore a ligament in his ankle last week and is likely out for the remainder of spring.

Stanton Seckinger and D.J. Greenlee are both recovering from ACL surgeries late last year, and Jay Jay McCullough remains indefinitely suspended.

“We got Cannon and we got Leggett; everybody else is a complete MASH unit,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

The thin ranks at tight end may prompt some temporary patchwork for the remainder of spring practice.

“We will probably take a couple of down-the-line offensive line guys and take advantage and train them up the next couple of weeks and get them involved so we are not wearing out Cannon and Leggett so much,” Swinney said.

The good news is that Leggett has been performing at a level that has kept the coaches happy.

In Wednesday’s first stadium scrimmage of the spring Leggett snagged a touchdown pass and had another 21-yard reception to key a drive.

“Jordan had a great day,” Swinney said. “We really need for him to show up and take that next step. This is a big year for Leggett. That position has been critical to our overall success, but you’ve got to earn it.”

With the graduation of Sam Cooper, the starting tight end position is expected to fall squarely on the shoulders of Leggett, who has flashed immense potential and playmaking ability in his first two seasons, but has been undermined at times by a questionable work ethic and dedication to blocking.

“We had guys leaving the program and we’ve had some guys who are out for the spring,” co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. “Now it’s his opportunity. He’s not just a leader in the room, he’s a leader on this football team. That has created a sense of urgency for him to go out and lead and consistently perform day-in and day-out.”

The tight end is an integral part of Clemson’s offensive game plan, but the player who fills that spot needs to be able to offer a “complete package” that includes blocking as well as pass catching.

Dwayne Allen set a lofty standard for the position and one that Elliott would like to see Leggett aspire to match.

“He’s as talented as anybody who’s ever come through here at that position,” Elliott said. “It’s now about the complete game – that’s what Dwayne Allen had, and that’s why you’re seeing him have success on Sundays. That position is hard to fill. It’s a pivotal position now in college football and it’s starting to be in the NFL.

“The good thing is that Jordan’s not scared of competition at all. For him it’s an internal battle. The big thing is him seeing this opportunity and knowing that everybody is counting on him. He needs to help the other guys get ready, too. He can’t do it by himself. He needs to get those guys ready to play, too, because he needs to stay fresh.”