You see him on Sundays now, snagging high-pointed passes from Joe Burrow and turning 50/50 balls into routine highlights. But before the Cincinnati Bengals jerseys and the big-money franchise tags, the 6-foot-4 wideout with the massive catch radius was a different kind of legend in the making. If you’ve ever wondered where did Tee Higgins go to college, the answer is the powerhouse program that essentially became "Wide Receiver U" over the last decade: Clemson University.
Honestly, it wasn't a given that he’d end up in South Carolina. Being a kid from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the local pressure to stay home and play for the Volunteers was massive. He actually committed to Tennessee early on. But after a coaching shake-up in Knoxville, Higgins reopened his recruitment and chose to play for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. It was a move that changed the trajectory of his career—and Clemson’s record books.
The Tiger Years: Why Clemson Was the Perfect Fit
Higgins arrived at Clemson in 2017 as a lanky, five-star recruit who was just as famous for his dunks on the basketball court as his catches on the gridiron. He didn't just walk in and dominate immediately, though. He had to wait his turn behind guys like Hunter Renfrow and Deon Cain.
During that freshman year, he only caught 17 passes. But those 17 catches went for 345 yards. That’s an average of 20.3 yards per reception. Basically, every time he touched the ball, the Tigers were moving the sticks or scoring. It was a hint of the "field-flipper" he would eventually become.
By 2018, the training wheels were off. He stepped into a starting role and became the go-to target for a freshman quarterback named Trevor Lawrence. Together, they went on a tear. Higgins led the team with 59 receptions and 12 touchdowns that year, helping Clemson steamroll Alabama 44-16 to win the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. If you watch the tape of that title game, you see Higgins boxing out defenders like he’s back on the hardwood in Oak Ridge.
Breaking Records and Tying Legends
What’s wild about Higgins’ time at Clemson is how consistently he found the end zone. He wasn't just a volume guy; he was a scoring machine. By the time he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, he had tied the school record for career receiving touchdowns with 27.
To put that in perspective, he shares that record with two absolute NFL studs: DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. That is elite company. He also finished his three-year stint with 2,448 receiving yards, which currently puts him in the top ten in school history. He wasn't just another receiver; he was the primary vertical threat for one of the greatest runs in modern college football history.
The High School Roots: Oak Ridge to Clemson
To understand why Higgins was so prepared for the big stage at Clemson, you have to look at his high school days. At Oak Ridge High School, he was a two-sport phenom. He was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in Tennessee, and he even had a scholarship offer to play hoops for the Vols.
He credits his aunt for his football career. Legend has it she promised him Hot Wheels cars for every touchdown he scored in pee-wee ball. Apparently, that incentive worked. He ended up with both his football and basketball jerseys retired at Oak Ridge, a feat that almost never happens in a town that takes its sports that seriously.
Clemson's Pro Pipeline
When people ask "where did Tee Higgins go to college," they’re usually looking for the connection between his college success and his NFL production. Clemson wide receivers coach Jeff Scott (who later became the head coach at USF) had a specific way of developing big-bodied receivers.
He took guys who were "basketball players on grass" and turned them into technical route runners. You see that in Tee’s game today. He isn't just a deep threat; he’s someone who knows how to use his 34-inch arms to create a catch radius that most cornerbacks simply can't compete with.
Key Stats from the Clemson Era
- Total Career Receptions: 135
- Career Receiving Yards: 2,448
- Touchdowns: 27 (Tied for school record)
- Championships: 2018 National Champion
- Awards: Two-time All-ACC selection (First-team in 2019)
The Transition to the NFL
Higgins left Clemson after his junior year, a move that proved to be incredibly smart. He was selected 33rd overall (the first pick of the second round) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bengals. It’s funny looking back—some scouts were worried about his "average" top-end speed. They missed the fact that his long strides and elite body control made his "playing speed" much faster than any 40-yard dash time would suggest.
Since joining the Bengals, he has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark multiple times and played a vital role in their Super Bowl LVI run. It’s rare to see a college star translate so seamlessly to the pro game, but Higgins’ foundation at Clemson prepared him for exactly this. He played in the biggest games against the best competition in the SEC and ACC, so the bright lights of the NFL never seemed to phase him.
📖 Related: The 2025 NBA All-Star Game: Why the New Format Changes Everything
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you are looking to follow Higgins or invest in his memorabilia, knowing his Clemson background is vital. Here is what you should do next:
- Check out his Clemson highlights: If you only know him as a Bengal, go watch his 2019 ACC Championship game against Virginia. He caught 9 passes for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns. It’s a masterclass in receiver play.
- Look for "Orange" Rookie Cards: For card collectors, Higgins’ licensed Clemson cards (often found in Panini Prizm Draft Picks or Contenders Draft) are usually more affordable than his Bengals NFL Shield cards but hold great value for Tigers fans.
- Follow the Clemson Pipeline: If you like Higgins’ style of play, keep an eye on current Clemson receivers. The program continues to recruit "big-body" targets that mirror the physical profile Higgins used to dominate the ACC.
Tee Higgins isn't just a product of talent; he’s a product of a specific system at Clemson that rewards physicality and verticality. Whether he’s wearing the orange and white or the orange and black, that "Jumpman" ability he honed in the Valley is what makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators every single week.