In Clemson's 21-7 loss to Maryland last week, one of very few assets was receiver Derrick Hamilton. As the visiting team in Terrapin territory last Saturday, the Tigers were held to a first half of meager offensive production, gaining only 86 yards in the first 28 minutes of the game. But with two minutes remaining, Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst finally connected with his primary receiver Hamilton for a 70-yard touchdown pass. And as halftime began, the Tigers held onto the hope of victory with the score at 14-7.
While Clemson ended up losing the game, the 175-yard receiving performance of Hamilton was the focal point of the 2003 Tiger offense and was reminiscent of the offense that led them to bowl game appearances the past two seasons.
Hamilton began his career with the team after a stand-out senior year at Dillon High School in Dillon, S.C. The premiere athlete was a member of the South Carolina All-State teams in both football and basketball, and on the grass of the football field was named an All-American by several major recruiting Web sites. In spite of several other scholarship offers, including one from Tennessee, the star receiver and kick-return specialist picked Clemson as his college of choice.
During his first year as a football player for the Tigers, Hamilton was redshirted and missed a large amount of practice time because of a pulled hamstring. Yet, in 2001, he had a breakout season with 53 receptions for 684 yards, leading to his acknowledgement as a second-team freshman All-American while also being named a member of the Academic All-ACC.
In 2002, Hamilton led the Tigers to an appearance in the Tangerine Bowl with his volatile combination as a kick- and punt-return man as well as receiver. In his best season yet, he totaled 1,883 all-purpose yards, including 602 yards receiving and 208 yards rushing with four touchdowns. Heading into 2003, he was named as a pre-season All-ACC selection. And with seven games remaining in the Clemson season, Hamilton has totaled 438 yards receiving, the fourth-highest mark in the ACC this year.
Entering this Saturday's game against Virginia, Hamilton poses the greatest threat to the Cavalier secondary. Charged with putting a stop to the spark plug of the Clemson offense this week will be Cavalier cornerbacks Jermaine Hardy and Almondo Curry.
Hamilton and the rest of Clemson's talented receivers "present a very big challenge for our secondary, and not just for our secondary," Curry said. "Our defensive line knows that they can't let the quarterback get good looks at the receivers. The defensive line has an effect on how good the defensive secondary is, and vice versa."
Hamilton, however, does not pose the only threat as a receiver for the Virginia defense. Speedy senior Airese Currie and huge 215-pound possession receiver Kevin Youngblood complete a capable group of receivers for the Tigers.
"Offensively, the wide receivers are quote a trio," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "They're hard to deal with."
Clearly this week, Virginia will have to continue to play as a team on special teams and defense in order to halt the path of receiver Derrick Hamilton and the rest of the Tiger offense.
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