Garrett Riley had high expectations for Clemson freshman Juju Preston

Clemson’s bowl practices have come with a different look and feel, and for offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, that shift has helped bring one young receiver into clearer focus.

With roster turnover thinning the depth chart ahead of the Tigers’ postseason meeting with Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl, Riley says true freshman wideout Juju Preston has taken advantage of the extra reps during bowl preparation. Riley met with the media Wednesday and pointed to Preston as one of the players who has consistently caught the staff’s attention over the past several weeks.

“A guy that really has just improved steadily since really probably the second half of our season, and certainly has flashed here in these last few bowl practices, one that stands out to me is Juju Preston at receiver,” Riley said. “He’s done a great job of just adapting and just kind of totally getting ingrained with what we do and what his job is, and the technique and the assignment and just all the things that go along with it.”

Preston’s on-field résumé at Clemson is still brief. The 6-foot, 155-pound freshman has appeared in one game, making his college debut against Furman in late November, where he caught a short pass and handled a punt return. Even so, Riley believes Preston’s skill set could factor into the bowl game, especially with multiple receivers unavailable.

“Yeah, absolutely. I really do,” Riley said. “I mean, he’s a skill guy. I’m telling you, this guy’s improved quickly, and kind of brings a different skillset, just a little bit different juice into that receiver room that’s already a talented room.”

That optimism isn’t new. Head coach Dabo Swinney has previously described Preston as a player developing behind the scenes, noting in October that the freshman’s progress was trending in the right direction despite early injury setbacks.

“He’s in the crockpot. He’s cooking,” Swinney said at the time. “He’s one of those guys that we see flash at practice.”

Before arriving at Clemson, Preston put together a prolific high school career in Virginia, totaling 185 receptions, 3,700 yards, and a state-record 67 touchdown catches. Now, with bowl practices creating opportunity, Preston has a chance to translate that production to the college stage. Riley believes the work Preston has put in since arriving on campus is beginning to show, and the staff is eager to see how it carries over when Clemson takes the field in New York.

“He’s still got a ways to go and all that,” Riley said, “but with the improvement that I’ve seen since the day he got on campus, I’m totally proud of his progress. I think there’s a bright future and bright days ahead for Juju.”

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson’s Garrett Riley has high expectations for a freshman WR