DeAndre Hopkins

After recording one of the best receiving seasons in ACC history this past year, many wondered where DeAndre Hopkins came from? But truth is, he has been productive since the moment he stepped foot onto Clemson's campus as an in-state four-star recruit three years ago. Hopkins notched 52 catches for 537 yards and 4 scores as a true freshman with three 100-yard games in the final four contests. He finished with 72 receptions for 978 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2011, but his productive sophomore season went mostly overlooked because of Sammy Watkins' phenomenal freshman campaign. With Watkins suspended for the first two games of 2012 and battling injuries, Hopkins was expected to step up as a junior. And he did just that with an ACC-best 1,405 yards on 82 catches and a school-record 18 touchdowns (second in the nation), earning First Team All-Conference honors. To no surprise, Hopkins decided to cash-in on his productive season and go pro, leaving Clemson with career records for receiving yards (3,020), 100-yard receiving performances (12) and career touchdown grabs (27), including at least one score in each of the last 12 games. Nicknamed "Nuke", Hopkins isn't the biggest or fastest, but he plays quick, controlled and tough with reliable hands and focus to locate and pluck. He is a natural receiver with outstanding awareness for the position and has been productive wherever he's been, why should the NFL be any different?

strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball in the air. tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to separate at the final moment and finish. very good short-area burst in his cuts with some beautiful stop-and-go moves and route acceleration to create room.

Good shoulder dip and footwork to set up his routes with very good feel, taking pride in his patterns. Handled quarterback Tajh Boyd's fastballs the past three years and uses his extension to reel-in tough grabs - high, low or outside, he goes and gets it. Uses his body well to box-out defenders and is fearless over the middle.

lean torso with average height and frame with limited growth potential. won't break a lot of tackles and has room to get stronger. will have his share of focus drops, running before securing the grab at times.

Will attempt to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms. Lacks track speed and won't be able to leave NFL cornerbacks in his dust on foot speed alone. Showed steady progression each year, but still improving his consistency and is not yet a finished product.

strengths

Nice job catching the ball in stride and immediately creating after the catch with a very good sense of his surroundings, always appearing to have a plan. Deceiving body strength and powers through arm tackles, playing with toughness.

changes gears well and knows how to turn on the jets, using his vision and awareness to create. competitive and physical attitude and wants the ball more than anyone else on the field, never conceding the top receiver distinction to watkins. dedicated himself to the weight room this past off-season and it shows on the field. much improved maturity took even the coaches by surprise with his goal oriented approach and work ethic. super productive the past three seasons, leaving with school with numerous school and conference records.

Weaknesses

compares to

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Like Wayne, Hopkins isn't the biggest or fastest, but he's able to manipulate his routes to create separation and is a reliable pass catcher with the body control, focus and competitive nature to finish. And like Wayne (30th pick in the 2001 NFL Draft), Hopkins will likely fall out of the top-25 picks and prove to be an excellent value in the late first or early second round.

Rated as the #12 wide receiver in the nation and #8 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com

#148 player in the nation and #4 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com

#14 cornerback in the nation by Scout.com

#29 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com

#6 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep

#6 athlete in the nation by SuperPrep

first-team all-state by The State

#3 player in South Carolina by Charlotte Observer. Participated in the Offense-Defense All American game and the Shrine Bowl

first-team All-Southern by Orlando Sentinel

Mr. Football finalist

two-time AP All-State pick at defensive back

two-time Seneca Daily Journal Player-of-the-Year

two-time Anderson Independent Player-of-the-Year

two-time AAA all-state by High School Sports Report

co-region player-of-the-year as a senior

three-time all-region pick

had 28 career interceptions for 555 yards and five touchdowns

had 57 receptions for 1,266 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career

had 11 punt returns for 289 yards and three touchdowns as a senior

had two kickoff returns for 119 yards and one touchdown as a senior

had seven receiving touchdowns, two on interception returns, three on punt returns, one on a kickoff return, and one on a fumble return as a senior. AAA Back-of-the-Year in South Carolina

had two blocked kicks

led D.W. Daniel High School to a 37-4 record in his career

preseason PrepStar All-American

attended the same high school as former Clemson All-America center Kyle Young

four-year starter on the hardwood

had over 1,300 points, 400 rebounds, 600 assists, and 200 steals in his career

averaged 20.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 4.0 steals per game as a sophomore

averaged 18.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game as a junior

led D.W. Daniel High to a state title in basketball as a senior, the school's first title since 1967

First-team all-state in basketball for three years

coached by Randy Robinson in football at D.W. Daniel High School

recruited by Andre Powell

chose Clemson over Michigan, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Nephew of the late Terry Smith, who had 162 receptions as a Tiger from 1990-93

majoring in community recreation, sport, & camp management

born June 6, 1992.