When Alpharetta entered the season with a pair of senior receivers already committed to Division-I schools, junior Daniel Clements may have been an after thought to opposing defenses.

With his play this season, the 5-foot-11 receiver is far from that now. Through nine games Clements has 48 receptions, a team-leading 1,068 yards and has hauled in 10 touchdown passes.

“[Daniel] has been so important to our offense this year because with our talent on the outside we knew teams would try to bracket or double cover those guys,” said Alpharetta head coach Jason Dukes, referring to senior receivers Carlos Burse and Blake Rowlinson — committed to Vanderbilt and Troy respectively.

“So we needed a guy in the slot that could make plays down the seam and down the field to keep them honest, Daniel has been that guy and more,” Dukes said.

Clements play is a big reason Alpharetta is riding a five-game winning streak and currently sits in a three-way tie for first place in 6AAAAAA. Through those five wins Clements has been the Raiders leading receiver in each game — including a seven catch, 178 yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Centennial.

“He’s just a player,” said Dukes of what looks to be his next college bound receiver. “He has great hands, great body control and runs great routes. He finds places in zones well and then once he gets [the ball] he can get vertical quick and picks up a lot of yards.”