Troy Stellato is 'eager' and 'ready to go' after missing season with injury

Before joining the Clemson program, Troy Stellato was a highly sought-after recruit, receiving offers from over 40 schools. Two years later, the redshirt sophomore receiver has played a total of 23 snaps and is credited with two receptions for 15 yards. 

Stellato, from Cardinal Gibbons High in Fort Lauderdale, FL, has struggled with injuries throughout his time in the Upstate. It started with a nagging hamstring injury and a heel injury during his freshman campaign and then a season-ending injury less than a month before the 2022 kickoff at Georgia Tech on Sept. 5.

"Unfortunately, that's kind of been his story since he got here to this point. He's been injured," said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on Aug. 13, 2022, when he told the media that Stellato suffered a torn ACL (knee) a day earlier. 

Before the injury, Stellato participated in his first spring and ended it with a five-yard reception in the Orange and White Spring game.  

"I thought he finished spring really well. He showed some things," Swinney said. "Then he had two good days in a row (preseason practices) and was taking advantage of his opportunity. So, this is another setback for him. It's frustrating.

"I just tried to encourage him," Coach added. "He just has to keep his perspective and attitude right and focus on the long term."

Stellato appeared to be in good spirits and encouraged after Swinney announced the injury. 

"Everything happens for a reason,” he tweeted shortly after the post-practice interview.“I’ll be back better than I ever was, mark my words. God’s got me!"

Stellato was held out of this year’s spring activities but is on pace to be ready for the Sept. 4 season opener at Duke. Wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham spoke highly of Stellato, who, according to him, is near 100 percent, and expressed his enthusiasm for what the young receiver could bring to the team in the upcoming season.

"I really just want him to be healthy and show what he’s capable of," Grisham stated last week at the Tigers' media day.

"[He's] very sure-handed. Can really run," he continued. "And he's a competitor – tough."

The Clemson offense managed only 14 touchdowns from the receivers in 2022. Conversely, TCU receivers hauled in 27 touchdown passes under new Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. If Stellato regains his explosiveness (clocked at 4.42 in the 40), he can thrive in Riley's spread offense, which takes more downfield shots. 

Based on his conversation with Grisham, Stellato, Rivals.com's No. 135 overall prospect in the 2021 class, is eager and determined to showcase his skills and make a significant impact in the offense in 2023.

"We had a great conversation the other day," recalled Grisham. "I think he's really eager. He called me and said, 'Coach, I want to show you and everyone else why you brought me here. Why you recruited me.'"

Returning from a serious injury requires many hours of physical rehabilitation for athletes, but there's also a mental hurdle that needs to be crossed. 

"I think for some guys, it can maybe cause setbacks and cause fear," Grisham noted of Stellato's mental fortitude and how he's dealing with the setback. "But I think for him, he's angry. He's hungry. He's tired of what's taking place, so he's willing to do what's necessary to take care of his body. He looks different. He's ready to go."

Stellato is expected to be a full participant when preseason practices begin on Aug. 4. He will have three years of eligibility remaining after the 2023-24 season. 

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