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by
Joel Welser
#37 Clemson Tigers
Atlantic Coast Conference
2006 Record: (8-5, 5-3)
Coach: Tommy Bowden (60-38 at Clemson, 78-42
overall)
Starters Returning: 11 (4 offense, 7 defense,
0 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Will Proctor, WR
Chansi Stuckey, TE Thomas Hunter, OL Nathan Bennett, OL Mario Dukes, OL Roman
Fry, OL Dustin Fry
Offensive Starters Returning: RB James Davis,
WR Tyler Grisham, TE Akeem Robinson, OL Barry Richardson
Defensive Starters Lost: DE Gaines Adams, LB
Maurice Nelson, CB Duane Coleman, CB C.J. Gaddis
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Jock
McKissic, DT Dorrell Scott, DE Phillip Merling, LB Antonio Clay, LB Nick
Watkins, S Chris Clemons, S Michael Hamlin
Starting Specialists Lost: K Jad Dean, P Cole
Chason
Starting Specialists Returning: none
Clemson has had years of inconsistency and,
unfortunately, this season might not be any different. With only eight
scholarship seniors on the roster, Coach Tommy Bowden’s squad will most
certainly mix in some baffling losses with their big wins. Young but talented
will be used to describe the Tigers all year long and the only thing that
remains to be seen is if this young group is young enough to forget about the
past.
Offense:
James Davis and C.J. Spiller are one of the most
lethal running back duos in the nation. Davis and Spiller combined for 2,125
yards and 27 rushing touchdowns a year ago and Clemson will depend on them early
and often. While the backs look the same, not much else will on offense. The
line returns First-Team All-ACC tackle Barry Richardson, but that is all.
However, the Tigers do have some experienced players ready to take over with
Chris McDuffie, Brandon Pilgrim and Christian Capote. While Davis and Spiller
are talented backs, if it takes some time for the line to come together, the
Clemson offense will be struggling.
Cullen Harper completed 14 of 20 passes for 155
yards last year as a backup for the departed Will Proctor. The 6-2 Harper is the
heir apparent and has some impressive, albeit limited, numbers. However, Harper
did not take a meaningful snap all of last season. Freshman Willy Korn is the
future, but Harper’s experience may keep him on the sidelines for a while. The
receiving corps lost its main threat in Chansi Stuckey but there is plenty of
talent left led by Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham.
Defense:
Despite the loss of end Gaines Adams and both
starting corners, the defense will be the strength of the Tigers. Replacing
Adams will not be easy, but players like Phillip Merling will pick up the slack
and get a consistent rush on the opposing quarterback. Chris Chancellor and
Crezdon Butler are expected to take over the cornerback jobs. Chancellor started
four games last year, while Butler earned first-team freshman All-ACC accolades.
The corners could become an issue, but safeties Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin
are talented enough to cover some of the deficiencies.
The least amount of concern is with the linebackers.
Not only do the Tigers return starters Nick Watkins and Antonio Clay, but two
other projected starters missed last season. Tramaine Billie returns from a
broken ankle after starting in 2004 and 2005 and preseason All-American Anthony
Waters tore his ACL in the first game of the 2006 campaign. If the defense can
stay healthy, they can keep the team in any game.
The Bottom Line:
The Clemson offensive attack was very balanced last
year and the Tigers will have to get their new quarterback in the flow as soon
as possible. The lack of an experienced quarterback is something Coach Bowden
has not dealt with at Clemson and the running backs can only do so much without
a passing threat. In the kicking game, redshirt freshman Richard Jackson could
take over both the placekicking and punting roles. He has an amazing leg and is
expected to be at least a solid placekicker for four years.
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