Spring Preview Part 2: Clemson
Last time I looked at South Carolina and their spring practice.
This time I will look at Clemson, who has already started spring drills.
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The Clemson Tigers are coming off a strong 9-4 season, even though they lost a close Chik-fil-a Bowl to Auburn. They had a strong off-season signing multiple top prospects like DE Daquan Bowers, RB Jamie Harper, DB Spencer Adams, and DT Brandon Thompson, just to name a few.
On offense at QB, the Tigers bring back starter Cullen Harper. RS freshman Willy Korn and true freshman Kyle Parker will battle for #2, while Korn also pushes Harper for starting time. At running back, the Tigers lose a little depth, moving Sadat Chambers back to defense, and the loss of Ray McElrathbey. Clemson may have had their biggest "commitment" with the return of James Davis (All will remember how he was gone for a few days heading to the NFL. Apparently he, with some help from Bowden I'll assume, had a change of heart), as well as having the return of CJ Spiller.
At wide out, the Tigers lose "depth" with La'Donte Harris, and move Rendrick Taylor to linebacker. Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, and Jacoby Ford all return. RS Freshman Brandon Clear, sophomore Xavier Dye, and sophomore Terrance Ashe (coming off a big USC game) add depth.
At TE the Tigers will have to wait for their big gun, signee Dwayne Allen, to get on campus until the fall. Until then, Clemson return starting junior Michael Palmer, sophomore Brian Linthicum, and senior Akeem Robinson. RS freshman Chad Diehl, senior Jermaine Martin, and junior Durrell Berry will battle it out for playing time, and to make an impression before Allen comes in.
The offensive line lost 4/5 of the starting corp. Tackles Barry Richardson and Christian Capote, and guards Chris McDuffie and Brandon Pilgrim leave voids to fill. The only set position is at center, occupied by junior Thomas Austin. At tackles, sophomore Cory Lambert and Chris Hairston look to fill in, but don't count out Landon Walker. At guards, juniors Jamarcus Grant and Barry Humphries are penciled in. Watch out for RS freshman David Smith and senior Bobby Hutchinson. RS freshman Mason Cloy backs up Austin. Also to note is the move of Jock McKissic from defense to offense. He may be one to watch, depending on how fast he picks up the blocking.
On defense the line lost a big piece, Phillip Merling, but bring in potential with Bowers. Ricky Sapp looks to anchor the line, with juniors Rashaad Jackson and Dorrell Scott clogging the middle. Sophomore Kevin Alexander will have the first shot to replace Merling, but will feel a good deal of heat from Bowers, RS freshman Andre Branch, Kourtnei Brown, and Byron Clear.
RS freshman Miguel Chavis, junior Jamie Cumbie, RS freshman Jarvis Jenkins all will be fighting for backup time for the defensive tackle positions.
Linebacker is one place the Tigers have wide open all over the two-deep going into spring. Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie are gone, Antonio Clay is out of school to deal with a death in the family that occurred a year ago, and Courtney Vincent is in possible legal trouble. The Tigers did bring in Tarik Rollins, but he is recovering from a surgery, so it is anyone's game. Sophomore Scotty Cooper and Kavell Connor filled in during the Bowl, and will have first shot to win the outside spots. Junior Josh Miller is penciled in at starting middle backer, but he will have plenty of competition from RS freshman Brandon Maye. Two to watch are Taylor and Hunter, who could take the starting spots.
Defensive back haven't felt any significant losses. Michael Wade is moving back to QB and Darius Gaither is transferring after this semester. They do return starting corners, Sophomore Crezdon Butler and junior Chris Chancellor, as well as backups Byron Maxwell and Marcus Gilchrist. At safety they return Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin, as well as backup DeAndre McDaniel. The backfield also gets back Chambers, who is penciled in at backup safety. Coty Sensebaughn and Haydrian Lewis, and Chris Russell add depth.
Improvement
The Tigers, although had a strong record, couldn't finish in the big games. This team has had the talent to win their conference the past 2 seasons, and this year looks no different, they just need to follow through on it. They also need to make a big effort to run the ball with Davis and Spiller, as well as have their receivers make the big catches when it counts. Also, they have got to settle on four guys to work with Austin.
On defense, the Tigers have a tough group of guys. They have got to find linebackers though to fill out the defense, and find a way to replace Merling.
What to Watch For
1-Finding an Offensive Line
2-Who will play Linebacker
3-Who will replace Merling
4-The Back-up QB position
5-Who will step up behind the big 3 at wide out?
Predicted Post Spring 2-Deep
QB: Cullen Harper, Willy Korn, Kyle Parker
RB: James Davis, CJ Spiller, Paul Macko
WR: Aaron Kelly, Brandon Clear, Jeffery Ogren
OT: Cory Lambert, Jock McKissic,
OG:Jamarcus Grant, Bobby Hutchinson, Wilson Norris
C: Thomas Austin, Mason Cloy, Ben Ramsey
OG: David Smith, Barry Humphries
OT: Landon Walker, Chris Hairson
TE: Micheal Palmer, Brian Linthicum, Chad Diehl
WR: Tyler Grisham, Nelson Faerber
WR: Jacoby Ford, Xavier Dye, Terrence Ashe
DE: Ricky Sapp, Kourtnei Brown, Byron Clear
DT: Dorell Scott, Jarvin Jenkins, Miguel Chavis
DT: Rashaad Jackson, Jaimie Cumbie, Antwon Murchinson
DE: Daquan Bowers, Rennie Moore, Kevin Alexander
WLB: Scotty Cooper, Stanley Hunter, Tarik Rollins
MLB: Brandon Maye, Josh Miller, Courtney Vincent
SLB: Kavell Connor, Rendrick Taylor, Jeremy Campbell
CB: Chris Chancellor, Marcus Gilchrist
S: Chris Clemons, Sadat Chambers, Chris Russell
S:Michael Hamlin, DeAndre McDaniel
CB: Crezdon Butler, Byron Maxwell
K: Mark Buchholz
P: Jimmy Maners
KR: Jacoby Ford, CJ Spiller
PR: Jacoby Ford
This time I will look at Clemson, who has already started spring drills.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
The Clemson Tigers are coming off a strong 9-4 season, even though they lost a close Chik-fil-a Bowl to Auburn. They had a strong off-season signing multiple top prospects like DE Daquan Bowers, RB Jamie Harper, DB Spencer Adams, and DT Brandon Thompson, just to name a few.
On offense at QB, the Tigers bring back starter Cullen Harper. RS freshman Willy Korn and true freshman Kyle Parker will battle for #2, while Korn also pushes Harper for starting time. At running back, the Tigers lose a little depth, moving Sadat Chambers back to defense, and the loss of Ray McElrathbey. Clemson may have had their biggest "commitment" with the return of James Davis (All will remember how he was gone for a few days heading to the NFL. Apparently he, with some help from Bowden I'll assume, had a change of heart), as well as having the return of CJ Spiller.
At wide out, the Tigers lose "depth" with La'Donte Harris, and move Rendrick Taylor to linebacker. Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, and Jacoby Ford all return. RS Freshman Brandon Clear, sophomore Xavier Dye, and sophomore Terrance Ashe (coming off a big USC game) add depth.
At TE the Tigers will have to wait for their big gun, signee Dwayne Allen, to get on campus until the fall. Until then, Clemson return starting junior Michael Palmer, sophomore Brian Linthicum, and senior Akeem Robinson. RS freshman Chad Diehl, senior Jermaine Martin, and junior Durrell Berry will battle it out for playing time, and to make an impression before Allen comes in.
The offensive line lost 4/5 of the starting corp. Tackles Barry Richardson and Christian Capote, and guards Chris McDuffie and Brandon Pilgrim leave voids to fill. The only set position is at center, occupied by junior Thomas Austin. At tackles, sophomore Cory Lambert and Chris Hairston look to fill in, but don't count out Landon Walker. At guards, juniors Jamarcus Grant and Barry Humphries are penciled in. Watch out for RS freshman David Smith and senior Bobby Hutchinson. RS freshman Mason Cloy backs up Austin. Also to note is the move of Jock McKissic from defense to offense. He may be one to watch, depending on how fast he picks up the blocking.
On defense the line lost a big piece, Phillip Merling, but bring in potential with Bowers. Ricky Sapp looks to anchor the line, with juniors Rashaad Jackson and Dorrell Scott clogging the middle. Sophomore Kevin Alexander will have the first shot to replace Merling, but will feel a good deal of heat from Bowers, RS freshman Andre Branch, Kourtnei Brown, and Byron Clear.
RS freshman Miguel Chavis, junior Jamie Cumbie, RS freshman Jarvis Jenkins all will be fighting for backup time for the defensive tackle positions.
Linebacker is one place the Tigers have wide open all over the two-deep going into spring. Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie are gone, Antonio Clay is out of school to deal with a death in the family that occurred a year ago, and Courtney Vincent is in possible legal trouble. The Tigers did bring in Tarik Rollins, but he is recovering from a surgery, so it is anyone's game. Sophomore Scotty Cooper and Kavell Connor filled in during the Bowl, and will have first shot to win the outside spots. Junior Josh Miller is penciled in at starting middle backer, but he will have plenty of competition from RS freshman Brandon Maye. Two to watch are Taylor and Hunter, who could take the starting spots.
Defensive back haven't felt any significant losses. Michael Wade is moving back to QB and Darius Gaither is transferring after this semester. They do return starting corners, Sophomore Crezdon Butler and junior Chris Chancellor, as well as backups Byron Maxwell and Marcus Gilchrist. At safety they return Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin, as well as backup DeAndre McDaniel. The backfield also gets back Chambers, who is penciled in at backup safety. Coty Sensebaughn and Haydrian Lewis, and Chris Russell add depth.
Improvement
The Tigers, although had a strong record, couldn't finish in the big games. This team has had the talent to win their conference the past 2 seasons, and this year looks no different, they just need to follow through on it. They also need to make a big effort to run the ball with Davis and Spiller, as well as have their receivers make the big catches when it counts. Also, they have got to settle on four guys to work with Austin.
On defense, the Tigers have a tough group of guys. They have got to find linebackers though to fill out the defense, and find a way to replace Merling.
What to Watch For
1-Finding an Offensive Line
2-Who will play Linebacker
3-Who will replace Merling
4-The Back-up QB position
5-Who will step up behind the big 3 at wide out?
Predicted Post Spring 2-Deep
QB: Cullen Harper, Willy Korn, Kyle Parker
RB: James Davis, CJ Spiller, Paul Macko
WR: Aaron Kelly, Brandon Clear, Jeffery Ogren
OT: Cory Lambert, Jock McKissic,
OG:Jamarcus Grant, Bobby Hutchinson, Wilson Norris
C: Thomas Austin, Mason Cloy, Ben Ramsey
OG: David Smith, Barry Humphries
OT: Landon Walker, Chris Hairson
TE: Micheal Palmer, Brian Linthicum, Chad Diehl
WR: Tyler Grisham, Nelson Faerber
WR: Jacoby Ford, Xavier Dye, Terrence Ashe
DE: Ricky Sapp, Kourtnei Brown, Byron Clear
DT: Dorell Scott, Jarvin Jenkins, Miguel Chavis
DT: Rashaad Jackson, Jaimie Cumbie, Antwon Murchinson
DE: Daquan Bowers, Rennie Moore, Kevin Alexander
WLB: Scotty Cooper, Stanley Hunter, Tarik Rollins
MLB: Brandon Maye, Josh Miller, Courtney Vincent
SLB: Kavell Connor, Rendrick Taylor, Jeremy Campbell
CB: Chris Chancellor, Marcus Gilchrist
S: Chris Clemons, Sadat Chambers, Chris Russell
S:Michael Hamlin, DeAndre McDaniel
CB: Crezdon Butler, Byron Maxwell
K: Mark Buchholz
P: Jimmy Maners
KR: Jacoby Ford, CJ Spiller
PR: Jacoby Ford
Tribble will have graduated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware.