As the midway point of the NFL season approaches, there are many former Clemson Tigers who made news in weeks 7 and 8. Here are some updates on a few Clemson football alumni who have been balling out the past two weeks:
DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver | Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans were on a bye during Week 7; however, Week 8 showed the potential of what their offense can look like in the future.
Hopkins had yet to catch a receiving touchdown in the 2023 season until the Titans’ 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. In that game, he recorded a hat trick, catching four balls for 128 yards and three touchdowns for an average of 32 yards per reception. His longest catch of the day was a 61-yard touchdown reception when he caught a pass over fellow former Tiger and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell.
Hopkins and the Tennessee Titans will look to keep up this production out of their offense as they travel to Pittsburgh in Week 9 to face the Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
Dexter Lawrence II, Defensive Tackle | New York Giants
The 2022 All-Pro Dexter Lawrence has been lighting up quarterbacks and offensive lines all season. Regardless of his team’s overall performance, his recent performances have shown why Lawrence is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
In a 14-7 divisional rivalry win over the Washington Commanders, Lawrence received an 87.7% pass rush grade as he won 27% of his matchups and put up six total tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss and a team-high eight pressures — the most he’s had in a single game since Week 10 of last season.
The following week, in a 13-10 overtime loss to the New York Jets, Lawrence showed no signs of slowing down. The fifth-year lineman recorded a 40% matchup win rate, three total tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a career-high 15 pressures.
Lawrence and the Giants are looking for their third win of the season as they travel to Las Vegas in week nine to face the Raiders.
Travis Etienne Jr., Running Back | Jacksonville Jaguars
Etienne has been unstoppable this season, as he currently leads the league in carries (151), is third in rushing yards (583), third in rushing touchdowns (7) and second in total yards from scrimmage for running backs (849). Ettiene is on pace for 1,805 total yards to make this a career year for the Tiger.
In a 31-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, Etienne had an average game on the ground as he picked up 14 carries for 53 yards and caught three balls for 24 yards. However, he made an impact early as he scored two touchdowns for the Jaguars in the first half.
The following week, in a 20-10 win versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, Etienne showed out as he recorded 24 carries for 79 yards and three receptions for another 70 yards, taking one of his catches downfield for a 56-yard touchdown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars sit atop the AFC conference alongside the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins with a 6-2 record heading into their bye week.
