CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Sammy Watkins showed Clemson may not miss star receiver DeAndre Hopkins quite so much next season, catching two long touchdown passes in the Tigers’ spring game Saturday.
Watkins was a freshman All-American in 2011 and helped Clemson to its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 20 years. But a two-game suspension, injuries and Hopkins’ emergence last fall kept Watkins a second option much of the season. Watkins made his impact felt in the scrimmage with scoring catches of 41 and 50 yards from Cole Stoudt. Watkins had seven catches for 156 yards, better than he did in all but one of the nine games he played last year.
Hopkins had 82 catches last season for a 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns. He gave up his senior season to turn pro.
