Defensive Line Depth Chart

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Jan 19 09:23:43 GMT-04:00 2018

Email Bag

In this format we will publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Hello Mickey,

How do you see the depth chart filling out on the D-Line with the unexpected return of Ferrell, Wilkens and Bryant? Will Yeargin, Register, Foster, Rudolph be surpassed by Thomas and Henry? On the interior with Wikens back, does this mean redshift for Jefferies and Belk?

Thanks,

Don

Don,

This has to be the best defensive line I have ever seen at Clemson. It is a great blend of experience and youth. At defensive end, Ferrell and Bryant will be the starters. I would image they will start the spring with Yeargin and Register as the backups and Rudolph, Kelly and Foster battling them. However, I would say Thomas and Henry will get in the mix very early. Their talent will get them plenty of snaps early in the season. I would not be surprised to see Mascoll red-shirt because of the tremendous depth at defensive end, but he has a great upside.

At tackle, Lawrence and Wilkins will be the starters. Huggins, Robinson, and Pickney should have the inside track on the backup spots heading into the spring. Jordan Williams will get his first big look this spring and can make a big splash. Sterling Johnson has also been productive in limited action. My guess is Belk and Jefferies could see a red-shirt season because of the great depth here too.

HI Mickey,

I really enjoy reading your blog on Tigernet. It really bring a different perspective on current Clemson sports.

While I am very glad that all our starting D-line returns, I have some concerns on our lazer thin CB situation. My questions are:

1) Given that we have only one available scholarship left, do you think that we can bring one more, "All-In" CB this year?

2) If either Mullen and/or Fields go down, who can we fill that hole without hurting our our thin safety depth? Any potential internal candidates outside of Simmons and Wallace (and Christian, of course :) ) that could potentially fill that CB depth?

3) It seems like we have been too blessed with our QB, TE and Kicking depth. What would Clemson coaches do when some scholarshiped players will never or hardly play? Does Dabo keep them or save a spot for for a position of need (i.e. Corner Backs)?

4) Finally (not about CB BTW, but I have been thinking this a lot), who could replace Dorian O'Daniel? He was such a great player that could tackle and cover slot receivers.

Thank you so much, Mickey! Keep up with the great work!

Meng

Meng,

The cornerback market is pretty thin at this point. I would expect McMichael to get his shot there too. I think they will be okay with Mullen, Terrell, Fields, and Williams, but McMichael could help.

The only corners I see still on the board are Patrick Surtain, Tyson Campbell, Taiyon Palmer and Mario Goodrich. Surtain and Campbell are long shots. I think Surtain will go to LSU and Campbell to Georgia. Palmer is looking at Clemson, Notre Dame, NC State and Nebraska. Goodrich is a new name on the board, and I am not sure where Clemson stands with this late offer.

A.J. Terrell is a future star at corner, and I think LeAnthony Williams will have a big spring and earn the staff’s confidence.

Dabo does not “process” players. He will never run a guy off as long as he is doing what he is supposed to do. A player will never get booted for not being a good player.

I think O’Daniel will be very difficult to replace. Jalen Williams has the most experience at the SAM. Baylon Spector could play their as well after his red-shirt season. I think Mike Jones will get a shot this spring as an early enrollee. You could also see Simmons or Muse move down as a potential SAM/Nickel guy.

Thank you for the kind words. Have a great weekend.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

src="https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/ads/plyler/allstate_logo.gif" border=0>

border=0>

Prayer List

The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list.

Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert Smith, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie Cunningham, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Derk Denton, Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley, Riley Cook, Dwayne Wood, Eileen Thomas, Larry Nimmons and Family, Annie Gregory, Amy Black, Will Black, Sam Smith, Dixon Family, Joe Lazorik, Mark Smith, Rene' Nelson, R. Bruce Harnage, Norris Brown and family, Tanner Cain, Avery Cain, Ted Wilson, Sandra Wilson, Leoffels family, Wren Jansen, Gail Culbreth, Jody Sinex, Donald Sikes, Carolyn and Richard Helderman, Jimmy Hutto, Christina M. Facen, John Harrison, Mike Vigdor, Oscar Pullen, Tim Mayberry, John McMahan, Karen Louthian, Samantha Molnar, Bob Dobson, Deshaun Watson, JJ Watt, Lenue Hayes and family, Lamont Johnson and family, Karen Vague, Dwight Clark, Karen Lake, Laura Lake, Blake Holiday and family, Jerrold Collins, Jennifer B. Adkins, Mark Nizolek, Mark Forbes, Lorrie Ahern, Mary Alice Proctor, Wanda Helms, Elaine Byers, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.