Wednesday April 16, 2008

Clemson Defense-Post Spring

Clemson Defense-Post Spring
What We Know and What We Don’t Know Yet
Yesterday we took a look at what we know about the 2008 Clemson offense and what we had not learned yet. Today we turn our attention to the defensive side of the football.

We don’t know who will be the starter at one defensive end as Kevin Alexander is trying to hold off freshman sensation Da’Quan Bowers. What we do know is the Tigers’ staff has upgraded the talent level at the defensive end and bandit spots.

The Bandit position will be manned for the second year by speedy Ricky Sapp. The rising junior has been a great pass rusher and continues to improve against the run. This year could be an audition for his NFL stock. Kourtnei Brown is a great looking athlete who played on some passing situations as a true freshman. Brown has long arms but is still undersized and struggles a little against the run. Some close to the program think Adrian Branch may be one of the most underrated players on this team. Branch red-shirted a year ago but he has a bright future.

Bowers and Alexander are locked in a good battle for the starting defensive end spot but Bowers’ has the bigger upside. Alexander continues to work hard and will give the Tigers quality snaps in 2008. I also think Jarrett Crittenden has the kind of body to enable him to come in and grab some playing time this season.

What we know about the two defensive tackle spots is this is perhaps the deepest unit on this team. Clemson has eight defensive tackles that could play this season. Dorell Scott had his best spring and he appears to be ready to increase his draft stock entering his senior season. At times this spring Scott was unstoppable.

Rashaad Jackson is a senior and perhaps the best athlete among the defensive tackles. His terrific career should wind down with another great season. Jackson may be the best pass rusher in this group.

We also know that Jamie Cumbie has made the transition to defensive tackle. He made the move last fall in the middle of the season but this move continues to pay dividends. Cumbie is another fantastic athlete playing tackle.

We did not know if Jarvis Jenkins would condition and work his way into shape heading into the spring. We now know that he looked to be in excellent shape in the spring. Jenkins is poised to be the next great Clemson defensive tackle.

Miguel Chavis also changed his body since he first arrived last fall and he looks like he is ready for some serious snaps as a sophomore. Antwon Murchison has also been very solid so far. The staff moved Rennie Moore inside and he looks like he could develop into a big-timer as well. Add to the list a talented incoming freshman in Brandon Thompson and the staff has plenty of talent and depth in the interior of the defense.

Like the offensive line on the other side of the ball, the linebackers are the question mark on the defense. The Tigers lose Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie and the current status of Antonio Clay and Cortney Vincent is unknown.

What we did find out this spring is the staff tried a lot of bodies in a lot of different positions. Brandon Maye might have won the starting job at the Mike linebacker. If Vincent or Clay does not return, Maye is more than capable at this spot. The only challenge may come from rising senior Josh Miller.

The Will linebacker became a little clearer with the solid spring of Kavell Conner. He will have to hold off emerging star Stanley Hunter, who will showcase his great closing speed.

The outlook at the Sam linebacker changed mid-way through the spring when DeAndre McDaniel moved there from his safety spot. Until then Scotty Cooper had the inside track but inconsistencies are a factor in his development. Jeremy Campbell is a solid performer but I would be surprised if he challenged this pair because he lacks their speed.

We know Clemson has two senior returning starters at safety in Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemmons but we know nothing about the depth behind the seniors. McDaniel moved to linebacker but could still end up as a safety and Sadat Chambers moved back to safety after a year at running back. I think we could see one or more freshmen providing depth here.

Depth is much less of an issue at cornerback as the Tigers have four or five proven corners. Chris Chancellor continued to progress and has locked down a starting spot. In the spring Crezdon Butler may have taken his biggest steps yet. He will still have to fend off Byron Maxwell though. Haydrian Lewis is coming off knee surgery and Coty Sensabaugh is coming off of a red-shirt season.

In summary, this defense has a few question marks at linebacker but there are more answers than questions everywhere else. In the early 80s William DeVane would wear down the starting center of the opponent and the next series William Perry would continue the beating. The 2008 team reminds me of those defenses because of the talent and depth up front. It has been a long time since Clemson has seen this much talent on the defensive line. The secondary should be one of the best in the league but the front may be one of the best in the country. If young linebackers like Maye, Conner, Cooper and Hunter can step up the level of play then this defense can be special.

The personnel of this defense make it terribly difficult for offensive coordinators to prepare for. I am not sure where some will chose to attack this defense. You would be hard pressed to find a deeper or more talented defense in the Atlantic Coast Conference this upcoming season.

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