CLEMSON — A week before Clemson’s spring practices opened, safety Khalil Barnes didn’t know much about receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.
The midyear enrollee from Texas was tall, about 6-foot-2. But he was more angular than big. String-bean arms accentuated a 170-pound frame.
Wesco was regarded as a five-star00 prospect by recruiting sites, until he was downgraded to a four-star in the winter.
But a three-star recruit turned star freshman like Barnes wasn’t hung up on reputation when Wesco stood across from Clemson’s safeties to drill some releases off the line.
“I just knew he was a tall kid. I thought he was gonna be a one-move release,” Barnes said, “but he’s real sticky.
He’s fast. He’s gonna be a problem, for sure.”
Since spring practice opened in late February, Wesco has earned some adjectives beyond tall and skinny.
“He’s a freak,” tight end Jake Briningstool said.
“He’s different, man,” receiver Troy Stellato added.
“He’s the real deal,” linebacker Wade Woodaz confirmed.
Some caution is required, because Wesco hasn’t even played in a spring game.
He certainly hasn’t stood across from Georgia’s secondary, as he probably will in the Tigers’ Aug. 31 opener, to prove his talents under the brightest of lights.
But if anything is clear from early appraisals, Wesco has not struggled in his transition to the college ranks.
Despite a thin frame, the Texan’s fast feet
soft hands have allowed him to consistently make plays in spring practice.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney credits more than his athletic traits.
“Sometimes you see guys, they got all the talent, man. They can run, they can jump, they can change direction.
But their maturity doesn’t match the talent,” Swinney said. “He’s very talented but he’s committed.
It’s given him a chance to get the attention of everybody early. He’s done that.”
