Spring Practice: Five burning questions for the offense |
Your patience has been rewarded college football fans. Spring practice starts next week at Clemson.
The Tigers return a ton of experience all over the field - especially on defense – but there are a lot of questions that will begin to be answered this spring. In fact, there may be more questions about the Clemson offense than at any time over the last three or four seasons. Think about it – the big, burning questions over the past few springs have really centered on the defense – new coordinator, finding linebackers, finding enough live bodies to play in the secondary, finding someone who could rush the quarterback. Meanwhile, the offense has had a few question marks, offensive line being chief among them, but there have been known quantities at the skill positions. This year, that all changes, and this spring will be spent trying to replace the majority of the offensive yards from last season. Gone are
Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins Who will step up? Will we really even know any more after the spring, or will most of this have to shake out in August? With that in mind, we take a look at five burning questions for the offense this spring. Who will jump out at quarterback? The media meets with head coach
Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney Stoudt has played in 22 games during the first three years of his Clemson career, logging almost 300 snaps (287). This past season, Stoudt played 116 snaps and was an amazing 47-for-59 for 415 yards and five touchdowns. Kelly played 55 snaps last season, completing 10-of-17 passes for 58 yards. He also carried the ball 16 times for 117 yards, and his highlight film play was his long touchdown run at Virginia. The wild card is Watson - can the talented freshman do enough to make the coaches keep him in the hunt once August begins? The scrimmages this spring mean more than they have since Boyd replaced
Kyle ParkerKyle Parker What will happen at running back?
Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye That leaves Brooks to battle it out with
D.J. HowardD.J. Howard Gallman just might be the one to watch – he has the size and competitive fire you need at this level. He red-shirted last season, but was one of the stars of bowl practice. He has added weight and strength, and he looks the part of a big-time running back and could be one of those guys that surprises everybody and winds up being the starter. As a senior at Grayson (GA), he had 516 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, but showed his physical nature on the defensive side of the ball – he had 46 tackles and seven sacks out of the linebacker spot. Who replaces Sammy and Martavis? The quick answer is that it won’t be one receiver, but that the group of talented youngsters on campus together can come close to replacing the production lost to the NFL. The good news is that freshmen Demarre Kitt, Artavis Scott and
Kyrin PriesterKyrin Priester Returning are
Charone PeakeCharone Peake What happens on the offensive line? Gone are
Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas Replacing Thomas at the left tackle spot will be
Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle Replacing Shatley? That’s anybody’s guess right now, but the coaches have said they intend to get their five best players on the field, and that might mean that center
Ryan NortonRyan Norton Another option is
Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder Right tackle is another question mark –
Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony Adding to the intrigue are veterans like
Reid WebsterReid Webster Will the Tigers be more of a running team? I found it interesting that offensive coordinator
Chad MorrisChad Morris Morris has said since his arrival at Clemson that he wants more of a smash-mouth spread, but with playmakers like Nuk Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd at his disposal, throwing the ball was the first option. With a young offensive line, a new quarterback and a lot of new backs, this might be the time he changes from a throw-first offense to a run-first offense. Will we see that this spring?
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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,
Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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,
Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
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and
Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
Running Back (2009 - 2013)
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC
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.
Head Coach
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next Monday to preview the spring, and one of the first questions will be if
Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH
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enters the spring with the nod over
Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
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and Deshaun Watson, or if all three enter the spring even on the depth chart. My guess is that while the spring may separate one of the quarterbacks from the other two, the coaches will force the competition to last deep into August and maybe even into the season.
Quarterback (2008 - 2010)
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Jacksonville, FL
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.
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
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might seem like the obvious choice to take over for McDowell – he had 26 carries for 119 yards last season, an average of 4.6 yards per carry. But he has battled the injury bug throughout his career, and questions remain if he can be an every down back.
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA
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was expected to be that rugged, physical back, but a torn Achilles ended his spring before it even started, and he likely won’t be ready before August.
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
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(57 carries for 213 yards),
C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC
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(34 carries for 155 yards),
Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS So. Tight End
#89 6-3, 230
Fort Mill, SC
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(who might be more of a blocker, but carried the ball six times for 43 yards) and
Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
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.
Fr. Wide Receiver
#80 6-2, 190
Lilburn, GA
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are already on campus,, and they have all spring to impress the coaches, learn the play book and gain chemistry with the quarterbacks.
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
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(coming off an ACL tear and will be limited this spring),
Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
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,
Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
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,
Germone HopperGermone Hopper
RS So. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
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and
T.J. GreenT.J. Green
So. Athlete
#82 6-2, 189
Sylacauga, AL
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. Williams, Hopper and Green all received playing time last season, but all need to become more consistent. Can they hold off the new guys? These battles will be fun to watch.
Offensive Line (2009 - 2013)
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
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and
Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley
Offensive Guard (2009 - 2013)
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC
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, arguably the two best linemen from last season. Replacing them won’t be easy, but there are players that can step up.
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
Brooklyn, NY
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, who was moved to right tackle at the end of last season and was good, but not great against Ohio St. in the Orange Bowl.
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Simpsonville, SC
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or backup center
Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-2, 290
Maryville, TN
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could move to guard.
David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA
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started seven games at left guard last season, but
Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 330
Chester, SC
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was getting the majority of the snaps there at season’s end. Could Beasley move to right guard, effectively giving the Tigers four returning starters on the line?
RS Fr. Offensive Line
#55 6-2, 325
Marston, NC
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, who lost weight while red-shirting last season and was impressive during bowl practices. Can he make enough of a move to challenge for that right guard spot?
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC
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received a lot of snaps there last season after Giff Timothy announced his retirement, but was replaced by Battle at season’s end. He will battle
Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-4, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC
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and
Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#78 6-3, 260
Hope Mills, NC
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at that spot.
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#77 6-4, 285
Woodstock, GA
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,
Spencer RegionSpencer Region
RS Jr. Offensive Guard
#74 64, 350
Cullman, AL
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and
Oliver JonesOliver Jones
RS So. Offensive Tackle
#65 6-5, 325
Ninety Six, SC
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, who will add their numbers into the mix all across the line. Who will be the best five? Spring practice might go a long way toward determining that question.
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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recently spent time with his good friend Gus Malzahn down at Auburn. Malzahn’s offense last season – at least to me – was a thing of beauty. Auburn finished first nationally in rushing yardage, averaging 328 yards per game on the ground. Yes, they finished ahead of traditional ground-pounders Georgia Tech, Army and Navy.
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