When you think about it, Jordan Leggett might be the most productive tight end who has ever played for Clemson.

His numbers speak for itself. The All-American finished his career with a record 112 receptions for a tight end while recording 1,618 yards and a record 18 touchdowns. This past season, in helping Clemson win its first national championship in 35 years, he caught 46 passes for a record 736 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught the winning touchdown passes over Louisville and Florida State, and set up the game-winning scores against NC State and Alabama.

Leggett averaged 16.0 yards per reception in 2016.

So replacing Jordan Leggett will not be easy, though the Tigers do have enough talented players in place to get it done. Clemson is loaded with depth at the tight end position, but it is unproven depth, especially when it comes to catching the football.

Garrett Williams, Milan Richard, Cannon Smith, D.J. Greenlee, Shadell Bell and J.C. Chalk will all have a shot at being the guy who replaces Leggett when spring practice begins on March 1. Granted Williams, Richard and Smith have all received plenty of playing time the last two years, but only as blockers and not as one of the primary targets in the offense.

Garrett Williams: The last two years, Williams (6-2, 240) has primarily been used as an H-Back, playing in third-and-short and goal line situations. The junior was an effective pass catcher in high school where he was rated as the No. 4 tight end in the country by 247Sports. This past season, Williams caught two passes for 19 yards. Because of his fullback like mentality, Williams will still be used as a short-yardage back and lead blocker on goal line and short yardage plays.

Milan Richard: We have heard Richard (6-2, 255) is the prototypical tight end for Clemson’s power spread offense. From a physical standpoint, the redshirt junior resembles more of a Dwayne Allen than a Jordan Leggett. He fast and athletic and has improved as a blocker. However, Richard has been inconsistent at times, but the coaching staff thinks he has a tremendous upside. Last year, Richard caught one pass for nine yards.

Cannon Smith: Like Williams is a very physical player. The redshirt junior loves to hit people, which makes him a good blocker. At 6-5, 260-pounds, he is built more like Leggett. With Leggett in the lineup, Smith has not truly been able to show what he can do. The coaches love his potential and think he has a chance to be a playmaker for them. He will get his opportunity to prove it in the spring. Smith had two catches for 24 yards last season.

D.J. Greenlee: If Greenlee, a redshirt senior this coming season, can stay healthy, tight ends coach Danny Pearman thinks he has a chance to help the Tigers this year. A product of nearby Daniel High School, Greenlee (6-2, 245) is fast and runs good routes. Pearman would still like to see him get a little bigger and stronger in the off-season.

Shadell Bell: Pearman believes Bell, a redshirt sophomore, can really help them. The converted wide receiver is still growing into the position physically, but obviously he brings in the ability to run good crisp routes as well as the ability to catch the football as a former wideout.

J.C. Chalk: The redshirt freshman caught 91 passes for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns in his high school career. He was a unanimous first-team all-district choice as a junior and senior, and participated in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in California as a senior after recording 48 receptions for 545 yards and seven scores. Chalk, who redshirted in 2016, feels he improved in the mental aspect of his game last season as he learned from Pearman and offensive graduate assistant and former Clemson tight end Durrell Barry. Chalk also benefited from the junior varsity portion of Clemson’s bowl practices, when the redshirts received a lot of meaningful reps.

–Above photo: Clemson tight end Milan Richard at practice last August. (photo by Robert MacRae)

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