Monday August 06, 2007

Clemson Linebacker Preview

Clemson Linebackers
This unit is far from Linebacker U. but it could be a very good one if everything works out.

I mention Linebacker U. because many of you remember those days. The days of Bubba Brown, Randy Scott, Jeff Davis, Johnny Rembert, Ed McDaniel, Anthony Simmons, Doug Brewster, Tim Jones, Keith Adams and Leroy Hill bring us fond memories of former Tiger inside linebackers. The outside linebackers like Andy Headen, Edgar Pickett, Jesse Hatcher, John Johnson, Ashley Sheppard, Wardell Rouse and Rahim Abdullah may have been even better.

This group has potential to be one of the top units in the ACC but it also has serious question marks like:

1. Can Antonio Clay get in shape and how will he rebound emotionally?
2. How will Tremaine Billie rebound after missing last season?
3. Can Nick Watkins be counted on every day?
4. Will Josh Miller ever develop?
5. Can Courtney Vincent and Kavell Conner build on strong springs?
6. Is Jeremy Campbell ready for a larger role?
7. Can Scotty Cooper make an immediate impact?

I don’t have the answers but the success of this defense may rest upon the answers.

Antonio Clay looked like he was ready to become the next great Clemson linebacker at times last season. He had a tumultuous campaign also. Considering he became a starter because of Billie’s injury in fall camp then after game one he had to move to a new position because of Anthony Water’s injury then he received the news about his sister’s death in the automobile accident as few days later. I am not sure how I would have been able to get up and put my life together if I had to bury my sister on a Tuesday and try to play in a big game a few days later.

Clay had to go home this spring to help his family in their grieving process. He says he has recovered and is now ready to advance. Clay says he missed his teammates but his teammates knew he had to go away this spring. Clay was not the same at the bowl game and even missed practice time there because Christmas was so difficult.

He came back to camp over 260 pounds and has already lost about 20 pounds but feels he needs to drop more weight to get back into playing shape. I would think he will continue to get more polished as the season goes on but how he will react is still a mystery.

Tremaine Billie did not play well late in his junior season. In fact the staff was extremely disappointed in his performance against South Carolina in the Tigers 13-9 win. However, last fall Billie had turned it on in the pre-season camp. He was eyeing the NFL and had worked hard to prove himself. The staff thought he was a different person last fall camp but the injury kept him out the entire season. I can still recall Billie in tears on the sideline the opening game because he wanted to be on the field so badly.

So will we see the Billie that struggled late as a junior or the one that looked like an NFL prospect last August? I would hope the sense of urgency will be back with Billie and he will become the terror we saw then.

Nick Watkins excels in coverage is a good open field tackler. Like Clay and Billie he has also had to deal with adversity. The New Orleans native had to deal with Hurricane Katrina and helping his family through those trying times. Some have questioned his work ethic off the field but he made strides in the classroom this summer and will be eligible this fall.

I think Watkins can be the disciplined player he needs to be at linebacker. This team has few seniors and Watkins could be one of the leaders of this defense if he steps up to the plate.

Kavell Conner had a terrific spring and he might have been the surprise of the defense. He is another linebacker that has played a couple of positions but his stock rose this spring when he showcased his toughness. Conner runs as well as any linebacker on campus maybe with the exception of Billie. If he does not win a starting position this fall he will definitely have the inside track on a spot in the spring.

Courtney Vincent is another player that has moved around a bit. He played Bandit early because the staff needed him there but has since moved back to his natural position at linebacker. The defense does not have a lot of vocal leaders outside of Phillip Merling but Vincent’s leadership is a key.

Jeremy Campbell surprised coaches last fall when he proved he was ready to contribute. He is a very smart player that is solid when it comes to fundamentals. Campbell was a good special teams player a season ago also. He will battle Conner, Miller and Cooper for playing time this season and his role should increase in 2008 and beyond.

Josh Miller came out of high school as a highly regarded player that chose Clemson over FSU. He did not red-shirt despite needing to and he really has not recovered since. Miller is a good athlete but has had a hard time adjusting to linebacker and the college game. He is a high character kid that could still benefit from a red-shirt season.

Scotty Cooper was a shock at the Shrine Bowl. I had envisioned a prospect that might have dominated at a small school but would have a hard time adjusting. Instead he played with an attitude. Cooper is a soft-spoken kid that turns into a demon on the field. He is still a little undersized but he is athletic enough to play this season. I think Cooper may be a three-year starter and a future superstar in this defense.

Brandon Maye was a late offer for the staff but he tested well this summer. He is more athletic than some had believed. Maye is like Cooper in that he may contribute more on special teams this season but look out for his role to change in the spring.

In summary, this is good group of linebackers that could develop into a great group if the questions are answered. Because of the instability from the spring of this group other benefited and I think that despite the questions at least there is talent enough here to form the answers. This group could be deep, experienced and talented but we won’t know until the season.

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