When throwing to an average receiver, a quarterback takes an accuracy test similar to hitting the target on a dart board.
When throwing to DeAndre Hopkins, a quarterback simply needs to hit the board. Hopkins’ hands — requiring XXXL receiver gloves — his 40-inch vertical leap and the freshman’s high-point ability equates to an elite catch radius, according to Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier.
“He’s a margin-of-error guy,”
Napier said. “A little bit high, a little bit low (with a throw) … you don’t have to be perfect. You hear guys talk about drafting those big split ends, West Coast receivers, that’s what they are talking about: those big-body, margin-of-error guys. Jacoby Ford’s margin of error wasn’t big — it was pretty small — but most of the time he’s creating separation.“
“(Hopkins) has the ability to make you right when you are a little bit wrong.”
The 6-2 freshman’s catch radius figures to be key going forward for Clemson. Napier wants more balance on offense, wanting defensive coordinators to have doubt when loading the box against Clemson’s run game.
But with Boston College ranking fourth in rush defense in the FBS, with the Eagles featuring stout defensive tackles and run-blitzing linebackers, Clemson might have to be more proficient throwing the ball Saturday.
If Clemson opens up the passing game, expect Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker to lock in on his new favorite target. When throwing to Hopkins this year, Clemson quarterbacks have an efficiency rating of 136.64. When targeting another receiver, the rating falls to 116.7.
“I just have to get it close,”
Parker said of throwing to Hopkins. “It makes my job easier.”
For an example, see the true freshman’s one-handed grab against Georgia Tech, what Hopkins calls the best catch of his career. On a third-down fade route, Parker lofted a pass to a well-covered Hopkins, giving him a jump-ball opportunity.
The catch was also significant because Parker trusts Hopkins on third down. Parker has targeted Hopkins 18 times since his first start at North Carolina, and 11 of those have come on third down.
On the season, Hopkins has caught 17 of 26 passes thrown his way, dropping one ball.
“Right now, I guess Kyle feels like I’m that guy,”
Hopkins said.
And to think Hopkins is still learning on the job.
“I think the biggest thing he has to improve on is just his own understanding, the coverage, knowing where people are going to be,”
Parker said. “Once he does that, it will be scary.”
Against Boston College, Hopkins will see more umbrella coverage like he saw against North Carolina. But the Eagles blitz occasionally, leaving favorable one-on-one opportunities. And it those matchups when Parker likes to target Hopkins, who offers greater margin for error and a chance to open up the passing game.
