Tuesday August 03, 2010

Which Freshmen Will Play?

Which Freshmen Will Play
A few years ago I remember a bet the Clemson staff had with each other. I can’t remember if it was during Coach Ford, Coach Hatfield or Coach West’s at Clemson but the staff was made a wager where they would rank the true freshmen before they arrived on campus and compare each coaches’ list after the season. The point was that you never know with freshmen and even the staff did not know what they had in each player.

Last year Clemson had a small freshmen class but only three of the 12 avoided a red-shirt. The class lost J.K. Jay with a back injury it was actually only 11 true freshmen last season. Of those 11, only Corico Hawkins, Malliaciah Goodman and Jonathan Meeks played last season.

The staff really likes the other eight players but the opportunity did not present itself for the red-shirt guys last season. The point is that when considering which players will play as true freshmen you need to consider the current depth chart as much as each players’ ability.

One of the most exciting aspects of the first practice of the year is the first look at the freshmen. Today the staff will get their first look at the freshmen class in helmets and shorts, so here is a position by position look at who could play as a true freshman this season:

Quarterbacks
True freshmen quarterbacks usually do not avoid red-shirt seasons very often and Clemson did not sign a quarterback in the Class of 2010, so no true freshman will play here this season.

Running Backs
This is a position where freshmen can make an impact and Clemson signed two good ones from the state of Alabama in the class. D.J. Howard is the faster, more athletic of the pair with Demont Buice being the bigger, stronger player here. The Tigers have two experienced backs in Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper and add red-shirt freshman Roderick McDowell to the mix starting today. However, I could see a true freshman avoiding a red-shirt. The staff has commitments from two excellent backs in the upcoming class in Mike Bellamy and Marlin Lane and next year’s backs are higher rated than Howard and Buice. The thought process here may be to go ahead and play a running back from this class because of the talented players on the way. I would think Howard or Buice may be able to help on the special teams as well. However, the staff may chose to red-shirt Howard and Buice, especially if they may move positions one day. My guess is that one will play unless injuries hit at running back then both could see action.

Wide Receivers
The Tigers have seven receivers returning so the opportunity should be limited for DeAndre Hopkins and Joe Craig. However, none of the seven has stepped up and this is a position where I fully expect a true freshman to make an impact. My initial guess here is Hopkins because of the way he catches the football. Often times receivers coming out of high school lack the concentration level or hands to play right away but that is not the case with Hopkins. He will have to make adjustments but I would be surprised if he is not a player they could count on from day one.

Tight Ends
This staff has played true freshmen in the past here and this position should yield a great opportunity this season. Victor Beasley is a tremendous athlete that may be forced into action as a true freshman. He has impressed in his short time on campus so far. Sam Cooper fit’s the bill of the kind of true freshman that has played here in the past. He is a smart player that could see action because of the lack of depth here. Quite frankly there is a tremendous sense of urgency here because of the lack of depth.

Offensive Linemen
Usually true freshmen offensive linemen don’t have much of an opportunity to make an impact and when they signed Kalon Davis that appeared to be the case with him. However, Davis has worked extremely hard and the staff thinks he will make an impact this season. He enters the fall camp listed on the two deep at guard. David Beasley might would have had a better chance to play if he would have been allowed to come in for the second summer school session. Unless there are injuries, I would guess that Reid Webster and Gifford Timothy may benefit from a red-shirt.

Defensive Linemen
Tavaris Barnes, Corey Crawford, Josh Watson and Tra Thomas are kind of defensive linemen that could have productive seasons at Clemson but because of the depth returning I am not sure any of the true freshmen play here. However, an injury to a defensive lineman on the two-deep would certainly change the sense of urgency here.

Linebackers
I would say DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver and Justin Parker at linebacker have the best chance of any true freshmen to play. Parker is physically ready to compete and is versatile enough to play inside or outside. There is always a big adjustment learning the schemes, blitz packages and coverages but Parker may be forced into action. This may be the perfect storm where ability meets opportunity. Also, Parker is the kind of player that could have an big impact in the special teams.

Defensive Backs
The staff signed six defensive backs in this incoming class and this is a position where we sometimes see true freshmen compete. The two corners with the best shot are Garry Peters and Darius Robinson. There are five returning corners but a spot as a nickel or dime back may present itself. Breeland and Brown have the shot at safety but McKelvey is a head hunter that could also make an impact on special teams. I am very intrigued by the possibility of seeing Martin Jenkins as a kick returner as well. Charlie Harbison has depth in his returning players in the secondary but I would not be surprised to see at least one corner and one safety avoid a red-shirt.

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Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, 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, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Richard Crawford, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, Steve Williams Jr, Steve Williams III, Kim Thomas, Reid Thomas, Sam Thomas, Linda Wiggs, Emily Claire Young, Dr. Wallace Honeycutt, Stacy Fowler, Kitty Bowers.