The Clemson Tigers have been without one of their top young wide receivers for the past few weeks, but they’re hopeful that will change on Saturday against Louisville.
According to ESPN, true freshman Bryant Wesco Jr. is listed as questionable for the game after increasing his practice reps throughout the week.
The Tigers (6-1, 5-0 ACC) have been treating Wesco as day-to-day while preparing for the first of their final three conference matchups. Following the Louisville game, Clemson faces road games against Virginia Tech and Pitt, the latter of which is also undefeated in ACC play heading into Saturday.
Wesco, who suffered an ankle injury during Clemson’s win over Florida State on October 5, was a surprise scratch for the Wake Forest game the following week. He has not played since.
The freshman from Midlothian, Texas, had quickly become a key contributor to the Tigers’ offense before the injury. In his limited time on the field, Wesco had 11 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his absence, Clemson has continued its winning streak, which now stands at six games heading into the showdown with Louisville, set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
Clemson’s offense has been one of the most potent in the country during this stretch, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik. The junior has completed nearly 67% of his passes for 1,836 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, while also rushing for 227 yards and four touchdowns.
With Wesco sidelined, veteran receiver Antonio Williams has stepped up as the team’s top target, leading the Tigers with 28 receptions for 393 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Phil Mafah has also had a standout season, rushing for 682 yards and six touchdowns on 105 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Wesco joined Clemson as a five-star recruit and was ranked as high as No. 15 nationally by PrepStar. He was a standout in high school, where he recorded 109 career receptions for 1,903 yards and 29 touchdowns. In his senior season, he had 36 catches for 619 yards and 13 touchdowns, following a junior campaign where he posted 56 catches for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wesco was also a track star, finishing fifth in the triple jump at the Texas 5A state meet in 2023.
