Miami WR Frank Ladson, formerly at Clemson, sees some similarities between Trevor Lawrence and Tyler Van Dyke
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It feels like an eon ago that Frank Ladson, Jr. was a highly sought local wideout from Miami South Dade High School that wound up signing with Clemson.
His three seasons there never panned out, in part with injury holding him back, and his career ended there wih 31 career receptions for 428 yards and six TDs. That included just four catches in his final 2021 season. He transferred to Miami for the spring, coming back home.
He hopes the change of scenery will equate to a change in production. Certainly he’s got all the requisite ability to be a standout at 6-3 and 205 pounds and with excellent speed.
He’s just got to really put it all together and have that breakout season. That’s something the Canes desperately need with top targets Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo gone.
Today Ladson was working in mainly with the twos.
“I’m just continuing to work on my footwork, ball skills, work on my releases, stuff like that,” Ladson said. “(Today) was great, a lot of competition. In full pads, it was a physical day.
“It’s been great. A lot of physicality, competition out there.”
Ladson’s got size that could make him a red zone threat for this team.
“I just come to work every day,” he said. “Even though some guys are smaller than me I still like to play that size, and those guys like to play big.”
Ladson came to Miami via Clemson, where he got some major big-game experience.
“Some of the guys ask me about it, what’s the biggest game you ever played in?” Ladson said. “That’s just different, it’s a different type of atmosphere. You’re in the playoffs, playing for a championship. It’s different. At the end they bring the stage out, confetti.”
Asked if there are any similarities between Clemson star QB Trevor Lawrence, who was a No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, and Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke, Ladson said, “Just being a student of the game, you know? Being a perfectionist, wanting the best for everybody and demanding that from everyone around him.
“(Throws) the same way, great arm talent. Smart decision-maker.”
His overall progress at UM?
“It’s been good, a lot of good competition, but we’re still working,” Ladson said.
The bottom line for Ladson is he needs to work his way up the depth chart and build a connection with Van Dyke.
“We work on it each and every day,” Ladson said. “All the quarterbacks, we’re trying to continue to build that chemistry.”
