CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School

Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – The Clemson football team has a bevy of talented juniors, and recent NFL draft analysts have listed some of those players as potential targets for NFL teams next spring should they decide to declare for the draft.

Wide receivers Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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and Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

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, defensive end Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA

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and linebacker Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Jr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC

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all have the talent to play at the next level, but Clemson head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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said Tuesday that he thinks all of those players – other than Watkins – would benefit from an extra year in school.

Swinney, speaking during a Monday morning teleconference with the media, said anyone advising those players to turn professional after this season is dispensing bad advice.

“I don't think any of those guys should come out other than Sammy,” Swinney said. “I think all those guys need another year. I don't think there's any question about it. Anybody who's telling them otherwise isn't very well informed.”

Watkins is almost certainly a first round pick, and Beasley has been mentioned as a possible first rounder, while Bryant and Anthony have the athleticism and talent to be picked later in the draft.

Bryant is especially intriguing, and his combination of size of speed is perfectly suited for the next level. Last Thursday night, all of that was on display against Georgia Tech as he caught five passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, a 35.2 yards per catch average.

Swinney admitted that each of those players could declare, but said he thinks that if a player isn’t a lock as a first round pick, they should come back to school.

“Could those guys come out? Absolutely,” Swinney said. “They're capable of playing at next level. But only guy who fits category of coming out early is Sammy. If you're not first-rounder it is not in your benefit to come out. Sammy's got a decision to make. But haven't had that discussion with him.”

Offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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said Monday that Bryant is just scratching the surface of his talent, and would be benefit from an extra year.

“He is just now starting to figure out how dominant he can be,” Morris said. “And he would be one of those guys that would definitely benefit from getting that extra year under his belt.”

Other notes

Will they limit Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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’s playing time this week

“No. We're going to do whatever we have to do to win the game. Tajh is fine. He wanted to come back in the other night. If it takes Tajh playing four quarters to win, that's what we'll do. Hopefully we can play well and get some of those other guys in there. But who knows? Nobody's 100 percent right now after 10 ballgames. But he can absolutely go play four quarters of football.”

Battle at right tackle

“Very pleased with Battle. Pleased with Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS So. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC

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, too. He played both sides. Thought Battle did a really good job. We were all hoping he'd hold up mentally, and he did. Got a little banged up, but went back in and finished strong. Hopefully that's a good spark for that young man. He's naturally a pass protector. He's long and he can do a great job of getting his hands on guys.”

On playing FCS school before playing South Carolina

“I don't know how all that stuff will work out. But I think it's definitely a positive to be able to, when you're playing a bunch of conference games, just from our past experience this has been a week when we've either been trying to clinch the division or whatever. Sometimes you don't have control over those things, but if you had total control over those things you like the schedule the way it is.”

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Subject (Replies: 26) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
TigerNet News®
spacer M.Bryant And S. Anthony Needs One More Year At Clemson.
Xander5000
spacer it's not even debatable
orngpurple®
spacer agree with everything y'all just said.
sgt tiger®
spacer Re: it's not even debatable
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: it's not even debatable
slumdog
spacer did you never see Dwight Freeney play??? ***********
StewPidaz
spacer Heard this the other week coming on Thursday pm....
71PR
spacer That's not really a debate, the worst team in the NFL would
soccerkrzy®
spacer i really can't think an actual cfb fan could think that the
sgt tiger®
spacer Re: That's not really a debate, the worst team in the NFL would
Motor City Bengal
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
kiknchkn®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
gottigers81
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
tmac9wr
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
sleepa007
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
tmac9wr
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
lead tiger
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
71PR
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
tmac9wr
spacer Isn't Beasley at the end of his scholarship?
NortherTiger
spacer End of his scholarship?
TigersO
spacer I could have been more clear - I thought he would graduate
NortherTiger
spacer Or he could do what Tajh did
PenthouseTiger
spacer Sounds like an ABC afternoon special starring Mr. T ...
RevDodd
spacer Have DHam call MBryant...
tigerdoc81
spacer Completely different players
PenthouseTiger
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Dabo to Juniors: Stay in School
ACC Fan 1951