Wednesday March 31, 2010

Class of 2009

Class of 2009
There are several ways to improve your football team. The easiest way to get better is to recruit five star players but those are few and far between.

Another way to improve is through schemes and while I think that is important, I don’t think that happens as much as it did before all of the sharing of information that goes on today.

A third way is through player development. I think this is the way most teams have to improve a position, a unit or the entire program. Not everyone can sign NFL-type talent at every position, so even the top programs in the country will have weaknesses. Clemson has recruited well at quarterback, running back, defensive line and in the secondary so player develop is especially important at the other positions.

Also, I am not sure how many staffs are out scheming their opponents every week so perhaps the most common way to improve a position, a unit or an entire team is through player development. Player development takes place from both the player and the staff. The player has to be dedicated to being the best player he can be and the entire staff has to be competent in knowing how to continue to develop a player. This means the head coach, the coordinators, the position coach and the strength and conditioning staff. Some programs even use sports psychologist to maximize a player’s ability.

In many cases we see a starter emerge in his sophomore or red-shirt freshman season because as he gains experience the player gets more comfortable. Some of it is natural maturity on and off of the football field. Some of it may be knowledge of what is expected of the player.

Clemson signed only 12 players in Dabo’s first recruiting class and those guys have had enough time to show the staff what potential they posses. This spring is crucial for this class so let’s look what the Class of 2009 looks like so far.

Tajh Boyd has the staff very excited about his long term potential. He still has to learn more about the offense and needs to gain valuable experience but there is enough there to see how the staff hit on this one. So often quarterbacks that are highly regarded disappoint but that has not been the case with Boyd. If he continues to develop at his current rate then we could why he was so highly recruited.

Roderick McDowell has also been what the staff thought of him when they signed him. He is a scat back that catches the football extremely well out of the backfield. McDowell continues to add some size and strength in order to help him make it through the rigors of a long season at a punishing position. This is a very good compliment to Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington. I think McDowell will have a role in the offense in the fall and that role will increase as he becomes more experienced.

Bryce McNeal is a lot like McDowell in that he had to red-shirt because physically he was not ready. His body needed work and he has done a good job in the weight room. I think he has a good future too. I think McNeal is the most natural receiver Clemson has at this time. He runs well. He runs smooth routes. He looks like he has the most upside of any of the wide outs I have seen this spring. McNeal will need to continue to improve his strength but I think he could see a lot of time this year and experience will really help in his development.

Brandon Thomas has as much potential as any player in this class. He is a rare athlete in that he has the size of a tackle but has the feet of a tight end. Like most offensive linemen, Thomas needs to continue to improve his strength and he needs more time in learning the complicated assignments of the offensive line. However, his potential is sky high.

Darrell Smith spent his red-shirt season on the defensive line but switched to tight end last week. This is a move that helps Smith and the Tigers. I am not sure Smith could have ever made a huge impact on defense so it helps his chances because he is more of a natural tight end. Also there is no depth and tight end and the opportunities for Smith are much greater at this thin position.

Malliciah Goodman is one of three in this class to play as a true freshman last season. He has the perfect defensive end body and is everything the staff thought he would be. This is a big spring for him as he is fighting some very talented defensive ends for playing time but he has a good chance to increase his role this season. Goodman is still learning techniques but I would look for more time and more production from Goodman this season and beyond.

Tyler Shatley is a weight room junkie that continues to assault the weight room records. He is where the staff wants him now but will have a hard time playing a bunch of snaps because of the depth in front of him this year. However, the staff has big plans for him in 2011.

Corico Hawkins played as a true freshman and made a nice impression on the staff. He has moved to the starting spot at MIKE linebacker. His height is not ideal but his instincts are. Of all of the storylines from this spring, I think Hawkins move to the top at the depth chart is the top one.

Quandon Christian made his presence known in Saturday’s scrimmage. He is a big play guy that is also a big hitter. Christian might be the best looking linebacker body on the team and only lacks experience. The staff would love to play more SAM linebacker this year instead of being forced to play so much nickel and Christian has a big chance to continue to impress.

Spencer Shuey is a solid run stopper between the tackles. I can see him developing into an inside backer that plays on running downs because of his toughness. Like the rest of this class, he is what the staff thought he would be when they signed him.

Jonathan Meeks played as a true freshman. There was a time in August where I thought he might have been ahead of Rashard Hall but Hall grasps the defensive assignments better and blossomed into a star after a red-shirt season. Meeks looks the part physically. If he can continue to improve his knowledge of assignments and technique, he can maximize his playing time. Depth is a concern at safety and Meeks has a chance to solidify himself as the back this year and move into a starting role in 2011.

The class of 2009 started out as a small class of only 12 and lost J.K. Jay to his back injury but the class is solid. Despite the lack of numbers, this is a class that improves this football program. Just how much impact they will have will continue to change depending on their development throughout this crucial spring and pre-fall camp.

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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Candace Fallaw, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee.