Crowded RB rotation: Elliott breaks down the snaps

C.J. Fuller has been impressive in camp

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Mar 27 13:23:35 GMT-04:00 2015

CLEMSON – Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Elliott Tony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
View Full Profile took a long and hard look at his position group during Wednesday’s full-scale scrimmage in Death Valley and even he doesn’t know who will be the starter next season. What he does know is that his current roster of six running backs means someone won’t get carries once the season starts.

The Tigers return leading rusher Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 205
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile , who rushed for 769 yards and four touchdowns on 161 carries last season. Beyond Gallman, however, the situation gets murky as Elliott looks at Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 215
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile , Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Running Back (2012 - 2015)
#24 6-0, 200
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile , C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Sr. Running Back
#21 5-10, 200
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile and C.J. FullerC.J. Fuller
RS Fr. Running Back
#27 5-9, 215
Easley, SC
View Full Profile this spring and will add Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
So. Running Back
#26 5-9, 215
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile back into that rotation in fall camp.

“Six is a good number, but obviously you don't have enough carries to go around for six guys,” Elliott said after the scrimmage. “We've been very fortunate to have some guys develop and have some time and now we've got a good group. We are looking for every one of them to be ready and challenge for that starting spot. Because over the course of season there is a lot of wear and tear on your body and on any given play they can go down.”

Leading the way, however, is Gallman and Elliott says that the Grayson High School product hasn’t come close to reaching his potential.

“The thing with Wayne right now, he is a guy that hasn’t played running back as long as the rest of the guys,” Elliott said. “He's a guy in high school that played a lot of outside linebacker, and he played in a system that was not traditional in the Wing T. His upside is probably bigger than the rest of the guys. He is really learning how to play. For a big guy he has tremendous quickness, his vision is starting to improve and his body is starting to truly develop. He is going to have that complete combination of size, speed and power.”

The rest of the backs are all coming off a layoff or an injury or both – Dye returned late last season but is still working his way into football shape; Brooks suffered foot injury last August and missed the season; Choice tore his ACL mid-season and hasn’t returned; Davidson has been battling a groin injury; and Fuller red-shirted last season and has yet to take a collegiate snap.

“Tyshon is now healthy. He isn't completely back yet,” Elliott said. “He has to continue to work his body. But you are beginning to see that explosiveness and that power and those soft hands out of the backfield. It's good to see Davidson get back out there - he was down a little bit earlier in the spring with his groin situation. And then you have C.J. Fuller - he has been impressive and he is a complete player and a complete back. He's not there yet but he's showing he can function in every situation.

“It's just a matter of bridging the gap and learning the system and being able to go out and execute at the level that's required. Choice showed flashes as a freshman, but he isn't going through the spring. And Brooks is coming back from that foot and is building that confidence back. He is a guy that when we first got here, we had recruited him to be that dual-threat guy out of the backfield and also good enough to be able to run in between the tackles.”