Wednesday June 25, 2008

Ryan Update / Clemson Running Back Rankings

Ryan Update 6-25
I was at work this morning and received one of the best text messages I have ever read about 8:50 a.m. Last night Ryan had a visit from his good friend Brooke who has a vibrant personality. Brooke brought her camera to take pictures of Ryan and we all asked Ryan to smile and say "CHEEEEESSSEEEE!" At the time we thought it might have been a fluke but one side of Ryan's mouth went up like a half smile. Well this morning Kelly sent me a test that read: "I was telling the nursing student about Ry smiling at Brooke last night and he smiled again out of both sides of his mouth!"

Kelly always is cautious and said sometimes babies look like they are smiling when they have gas pains instead. But I think it is more than a coincidence that he smiled for the camera and then again this morning when they were talking about it. These are his first two smiles since the accident so we are taking this as big news.

Ryan's trach was capped for several hours last night and he was breathing between 97-100 percent throughout. This was a good sign.

He is scheduled to have an EEG this morning so we are hoping for good news there.

Clemson Running Back Rankings
1. Terry Allen is still the best until James Davis finishes his career but I think Davis will overtake T.A. this season. Allen had tremendous balance and was one of the toughest players I have seen. He was the ACC's rookie of the year in 1987 and All-ACC in 1987 and 1988. He played 12 seasons in the NFL including a Pro Bowl season in 1996. Allen is the fifth leading rusher in Clemson history despite playing only three seasons.

2. James Davis will probably be the best when he finishes his career. He has a chance to become just the second running back in Clemson history to be named All-conference three times. He could break the school career rushing and touchdown record this season. Davis was the ACC rookie of the year in 2005. Few players have had the impact Davis has had here at Clemson.

3. Raymond Priester got more out of his ability than any back at Clemson. He was a high character guy that his teammates rallied behind. I will never forget his coming into the game against South Carolina and him tapping th helmets of his offensive linemen to get them going to turn the game around. Priester is the only three-time All-ACC back in school history. He is Clemson's all-time rusher with 3966 career rushing yards. Priester broke the school rushing record by over 1,000 yards when he set the record as a senior. He has the two best rushing seasons in school history with 1345 yards in 1996 and 1322 yards in 1995. He broke the school record for rushing yards in a game with 263 against Duke in 1995.

4. Fred Cone was an All-conference performer for the Tigers in 1950. He is still in the top 15 in Clemson history in career rushing yardage. When Cone finished his career he had broken the school record for career rushing yardage and touchdowns.

5. Kenny Flowers was a Heisman Candidate after his All-ACC season in 1985 but he was injured in 1986 season. He did play three seasons in the NFL. In 1985 Flowers had 1200 yards rushing which was a school record at the time. He also broke the school career rushing record during his playing days. Flowers might be the best combination of size and speed of any back in Clemson history.

6. Joel Wells was Clemson's first All-American running back and is still one of only two backs in Clemson history to be an All-American. Wells was also All-ACC in 1955 and 1956. He went on to play five seasons in the NFL.

7. Buddy Gore was the ACC player of the year in 1967. He was All-ACC in 1967 and 1968. Gore is one of 13 Tiger running backs to be named all-conference twice.

8. Terrence Flagler became the second All-American running back in Clemson history with a terrific year in 1986. The Florida native was an All-ACC selection the same season. Flagler did not have a great career at Clemson but he did have an incredible season. This was a terrific athlete who caught the ball well out of the backfield. He broke the school rushing record for a single season in 1986 with 1258 yards.

9. Kevin Mack was one of the toughest players in school history and the top fullback at Clemson. He was fantastic in short-yardage situations. Mack went on the a terrific NFL career and played in the Pro Bowl in 1985, 1985 and 1987.

10. Travis Zachery was a stat machine He set the school record for touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. He is third in school history in terms of career rushing yardage. Zachery was an All-ACC player in 2000.

Here is a list of honorable mention candidates and some of my all-time favorites in alphabetical order:
Cliff Austin was selected to the All-ACC team in 1982. He was a big part of the national championship season. Austin set the single game record with 260 rushing yards against Duke.

Lester Brown was an All-ACC choice in 1978. The "Rubber Duck" was a touchdown machine and he set the school standard with 31.

Stacey Driver was nicknamed "The Ricochet Rabbit" because he bounced off of tacklers. Driver was undersized but he was a hardnosed runner.

Billy Hair was an All-conference player for Clemson in both 1951 and 1952. Bob Bradley would love to tell stories about the great Clemson backs of the 1940s and 1950 and he had a few on Hair and Cone.

Bill Mathis was an All-ACC choice in 1959. He played 10 years of professional football and was a Pro Bowler in 1963. He won a Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 1969.

Ray Matthews was an All-conference selection in 1949. He played in three Pro Bowls in 1952, 1953 and 1955.

C.J. Spiller is only two years into his career but I think he could move into the top tem with a good junior season. Few players have had more electrifying plays in a short time.

Ronald Williams was an All-ACC selection in both 1990 and 1991. He was the ACC rookie of the year in 1990. Had Williams stayed healthy he may have been in the top 5 in Clemson history.

My Top 5 Fullbacks in Clemson History
1. Kevin Mack
2. Tracey Johnson
3. Chris Lancaster
4. Jeff McCall
5. Marvin Sims

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