Now Or Never For Clemson Receiver Joseph Ngata

Joseph Ngata certainly has the talent but now needs to prove something else on the field. That he can stay on it.

The Tigers aren’t lacking talent in the wide receivers room but Ngata’s talent and experience could help that group tremendously.

Ngata endured a rough 2020 season to say the least. That season he missed extended playing time over the Tiger’s 12 games, dealing with injuries and it showed in is stats. The entire season he had just seven catches for 83 yards.

It did not end there, though. Fast forward to last year’s spring practice when it looked like he had possibly gotten past the injuries and ended with as many total yards Clemson’s spring game (83) as his entire 2020 season. Then came fall camp where he missed practices thanks to a hamstring injury.

He did have better stats when 2021 ended, registering 23 catches for 438 yards and a touchdown over the nine games (eight starts) he played in. However, injuries once again plagued him down the stretch.

The talent is definitely there and was on full display against Syracuse last season.

Joseph Ngata taps the foot for the @ClemsonFB touchdown! pic.twitter.com/3XBfY9FnNc

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 16, 2021

Ngata is now the veteran of the receiver room, and the Tigers need him on the field. DJ Uiagalelei, who struggled mightily at times last season, in part due to inconsistent wide receiver play, would benefit greatly from having an alpha in the group. A guy who cam consistently stretch the field and come up with the big catches.

And being a senior, Ngata needs to prove his worth to NFL scouts and just being available could go a long way towards doing that.