TAMPA, Fla. -- Clemson University has recently become Wide Receiver University. Sammy Watkins (Buffalo), DeAndre Hopkins (Houston), Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh) and Jaron Brown (Arizona) were all on the 2012 Tigers football team before heading into the NFL.
There is one more player on that list and, like the others, he is doing good things in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Adam Humphries didn't come in with the same hype as his Clemson teammates. In fact, he was an undrafted free agent. But Humphries has likely found his home as the Bucs' slot receiver. For the season, he has 26 catches for 250 yards and one touchdown, including career highs of six catches for 60 yards last week against St. Louis.
Humphries, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, took time to talk about his journey during our weekly Q&A with a Buccaneers player:
Have you pinched yourself yet?
Humphries: There are definitely times where I sit back and think about how fortunate I am to be where I am right now. Obviously, coming into the league as an undrafted, rookie-tryout guy, it's unlikely to be where I'm at right now. But I'm very fortunate to be where I'm at and it's just a testament of a lot of hard work and dedication each day.
When did you know you could make a career in the NFL?
Humphries: You see some guys you played with in the league and you hear from them saying you can do that, that you're capable of performing and keeping up with those guys. But really, once you get out here in (minicamps and offseason workouts) and when you start running routes against NFL (defensive backs), you think maybe there is a chance I can perform and play in this league.
If you weren't in the NFL, what would you be doing?
Humphries: If I wasn't in the NFL I would probably be coaching football or doing something involved with football because football has been a part of my life for so long, I feel I can help others out through the game of football.
Clemson is in the College Football Playoff. Are you upset you're not there?
Humphries: I think back that I'm one year out. If I would have redshirted my freshman year I would still be there playing for a national championship. I still have a lot of buddies on the team and I keep up with them. Seeing them successful is awesome but at the same time, when they get a national championship ring and I don't I'm going to be like, 'Let me wear that one time.'
What is your advice to non-drafted guys who are trying to live out their dreams?
Humphries: Keep your head down each day. There's going to be a lot of adversity you face and a lot of tough times. You're going to be in the back of the line every drill but keep your head down and keep working hard. Act like you belong but work like you don't.