Texas Tech AD interviews Clemson’s Morris

CLEMSON —Clemson sophomore wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended for the Dec.31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game against LSU for academic reasons. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney made the announcement Tuesday.

Bryant has 10 receptions for 305 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. He leads the nation in yards per catch among players with at least 10 receptions.

Morris interviews
Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt flew into Anderson to meet with Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris on Tuesday.

Hocutt spoke to reporters at the Anderson Regional Airport and said Texas Tech is seeking a replacement for departed head coach Tommy Tuberville as soon as possible.

Hocutt’s plane traveled from Houston, where he is speculated to have met with Texas A&M offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury about the position.

Morris and Kingsbury were reported to be “right at the top” of Texas Tech football’s list, according to the Lubbock (Tex.) Avalanche-Journal.

Kingsbury was a former quarterback at Texas Tech and coached Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel this fall.

Tuberville took the Cincinnati job last week.

Kiper on Boyd, Hopkins
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper had some welcomed words for the Clemson football coaching staff. Kiper told reporters in a conference call he is of the opinion Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and receiver DeAndre Hopkins should return for their senior seasons in 2013.

Boyd is expected to return as he is viewed as a mid- to late-round draft choice. Boyd’s father, Tim, told The Post and Courier last month he also thinks his son should return.

Boyd, at 6-1, lacks the height of a prototype NFL quarterback, and that is hurting his draft stock.

“I believe seniors who are coming out are so much better served in the NFL,” Kiper said. “You ask so much of a rookie … that extra year helps. One more year of NFL evaluations is big.

“Boyd is not going to get any taller, but he can get more experience.”

Hopkins is projected as a second-round pick.

While Hopkins would have a hard time bettering his numbers as a senior — he caught 69 passes for 1,214 yards and 16 TDs this fall — Kiper thinks he could benefit from being participating in the Senior Bowl and other postseason workouts attended by scouts.