Bread, butter and 'jam': What Clemson football's Noble Johnson could add to receiving corps

CLEMSON ― Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney is expecting big things from returning wide receivers Antonio Williams, Brannon Spector, Cole Turner, Adam Randall and Beaux Collins.

“Those five guys right there should really kind of butter our bread, if you will,” Swinney said Monday afternoon before his team opened spring practice.

If that quintet is to provide the butter, then perhaps freshman Noble Johnson will be the jam.

The only midyear enrollee among the Tigers’ rookie wide receivers, Johnson will be the lone newcomer to the receiving corps to participate in spring practice, and Swinney is eager to see what the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder can do.

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“I’m super excited about seeing him,” Swinney said. “He looks the part and he can move the way you’ve got to be able to move.

“We loved him in the recruiting process, he looked great in our offseason program, so I’m anxious to see him get out there.”

With Randall, Collins and Troy Stellato either out or limited this spring, Johnson is likely to receive plenty of opportunity to shine, and Johnson’s high school coach believes his former standout will capitalize.

“He’s the kind of guy who will be physically ready,” said Trey Brooks of Rockwall High in Texas. “He’s a physically gifted kid, so that definitely won’t be an issue, and he’s a quick learner. I think he’s capable of anything.”

That certainly would appear to be the case. The versatile Johnson – a four-star recruit – averaged 23.2 yards on 22 career kickoff returns and finished his 26-game high school career with 101 receptions for 1,739 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“I’m sure he’ll put himself in a position to get out there as soon as they give him the opportunity,” Brooks said.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson WR Noble Johnson to get opportunities during spring practice