Dabo knew last year's Tigers could be special; what does 2012 hold? |
CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers were barely a week into their fall practice last August when head coach
Dabo Swinney
Dabo Swinney Head Coach View Full Profile
sat on his golf cart following a Tuesday practice and gave what would turn out to be a fairly accurate prediction for the 2011 season. We were talking about how the team – despite being just a week into preparations for the 2011 seasons – had the look of a team that could make some noise during the season but how there was also room for a lot of growth. Swinney sat back and smiled, and he said something that stuck with me for the rest of the season. “If teams are going to get us, they better get us this year,” he said. “We ain’t gonna be easily got this year, because we have a lot of young talent. But if you gonna get us, get us now because there is a whole lot of young talent coming along and the future is very bright.” Of course, the Tigers went on to win the ACC Atlantic Division and eventually the ACC Championship despite being “got” along the way in losses to Georgia Tech, South Carolina, N.C. State and West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. In looking ahead, many Clemson fans say that 2013 will be the Tigers’ year to really make another run at an ACC Championship and a possible national championship. One of the questions concerning 2012 is reminiscent of the questions heading into 2008 – how will the offensive line perform? That question alone has many wondering if the Tigers will take a step back in 2011 (don’t they always in even-numbered years?) before jumping back into the fray in 2013. The truth is, none of us know how the 2012 season is going to play out. Too many variables and too many factors and there is too much time for things to happen before the start of the season. But in looking at this team over the spring, there are two things that are evidently and abundantly clear – this team has talent to burn, and Dabo Swinney has a coaching staff in place that inspires confidence that coaching won't be an issue next fall. In other words: if you didn’t get ‘em last year, time might be running out. The Tigers have an All-ACC performer returning in quarterback
Tajh BoydTajh Boyd RS So. Quarterback #10 6-1, 225 Hampton, VA View Full Profile
, who needs to build off of his first eight games from last season. There is a stable of running back talent that might be the best in the conference. The group of wide receivers, led by
Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins Fr. Wide Receiver #2 6-1, 200 Fort Myers, FL View Full Profile
and Nuk Hopkins, is among the best in the country. Tight end won't be an issue, either, despite the loss of
Dwayne AllenDwayne Allen RS Jr. Tight End #83 6-3, 255 Fayetteville, NC View Full Profile
to the NFL. Two questions defensively heading into the spring were the defensive tackle and linebacker spots, but some of those concerns were allayed as the spring progressed and both groups seemed to have taken a step forward. There is talent at the tackle spot, just a lack of experience. The linebackers are tackling better, and there is also a wealth of talent at that position. If
Tony StewardTony Steward Fr. Linebacker #7 6-1, 245 Hastings, FL View Full Profile
comes back healthy, the Tigers would have Steward,
Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony Fr. Linebacker #12 6-3, 235 Polkton, NC View Full Profile
,
Corico HawkinsCorico Hawkins Jr. Linebacker #42 5-11, 230 Milledgeville, GA View Full Profile
, Tig Willard,
Justin ParkerJustin Parker So. Linebacker #8 6-1, 225 Port Royal, SC View Full Profile
,
Spencer ShueySpencer Shuey RS So. Linebacker #33 6-3, 250 Charlotte, NC View Full Profile
,
Quandon ChristianQuandon Christian RS So. Linebacker #34 6-2, 220 Lake View, SC View Full Profile
,
Lateek TownsendLateek Townsend Fr. Linebacker #20 6-2, 215 Bennettsville, SC View Full Profile
and
B.J. GoodsonB.J. Goodson RS Fr. Linebacker #44 6-1, 235 Timmonsville, SC View Full Profile
to choose from. Next year the Tigers add players such as Dorian O’Daniel and Ben Boulware, so this position is loaded. At tackle, players such as
Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett Fr. Defensive Tackle #50 6-0, 290 Conyers, GA View Full Profile
,
DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams Fr. Defensive Tackle #99 6-1, 290 Central, SC View Full Profile
,
Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes RS Fr. Defensive End #6 6-4, 270 Jacksonville, FL View Full Profile
,
Tra ThomasTra Thomas RS Fr. Defensive Tackle #95 6-0, 290 Wadesboro, NC View Full Profile
and
Josh WatsonJosh Watson RS Fr. Defensive Tackle #91 6-4, 290 Wilmington, DE View Full Profile
have proved more than capable this spring.
Malliciah GoodmanMalliciah Goodman Jr. Defensive End #97 6-4, 280 Florence, SC View Full Profile
and
Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford Fr. Defensive End #93 6-5, 280 Columbus, GA View Full Profile
are a talented tandem at defensive end, and the Tigers will add a player in the fall in
Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins Fr. Defensive Line # 6-4, 285 Forest City, NC View Full Profile
who could easily push for playing time along the line. The secondary has seasoned veterans like
Xavier BrewerXavier Brewer RS Jr. Defensive Back #29 5-11, 190 Jacksonville, FL View Full Profile
,
Rashard HallRashard Hall Gr. Safety #31 6-1, 210 St. Augustine, FL View Full Profile
and
Jonathan MeeksJonathan Meeks Jr. Safety #5 6-1, 210 Rock Hill, SC View Full Profile
sprinkled in among talented younger players like
Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson So. Defensive Back #21 5-11, 170 College Park, GA View Full Profile
,
Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland RS Fr. Defensive Back #17 6-0, 185 Allendale, SC View Full Profile
,
Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins So. Defensive Back #14 5-9, 175 Roswell, GA View Full Profile
,
Travis BlanksTravis Blanks Fr. Defensive Back # 6-1, 180 Tallahassee, FL View Full Profile
and
Cortez DavisCortez Davis RS Fr. Defensive Back #2 6-3, 200 Daytona Beach, FL If the tackling issues and the confusion issues have been fixed – and early returns say they have - this defense looks poised for a turnaround season in 2012. The kicking game appears to be more than solid with
Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro RS So. Punter / Kicker #39 6-2, 200 Greenville, SC View Full Profile
, and freshman
Bradley PinionBradley Pinion Fr. Punter / Kicker # 6-6, 220 Concord, NC View Full Profile
will push for a starting spot all August. His booming leg was in full view for everyone to see on Saturday. Indeed, it might come down to the offensive line and how well this unit comes together not only before the opener against Auburn but as the season progresses. Offensive coordinator Chad Morris says he feels like he has seven linemen he can win with now, but eight or nine would be better. Giff Timothy and
Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas RS So. Offensive Line #63 6-3, 300 Spartanburg, SC View Full Profile
each had good springs at the tackle spots, and center
Dalton FreemanDalton Freeman RS Jr. Offensive Line #55 6-5, 285 Pelion, SC View Full Profile
will be considered among the nation’s best at his position this season.
Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley RS So. Offensive Line #43 6-3, 295 Icard, NC View Full Profile
is a physical player at right guard, and
Kalon DavisKalon Davis RS Fr. Offensive Line #67 6-5, 335 Chester, SC View Full Profile
got better as the spring progressed. ESPN college football analyst David Pollack visited a Clemson practice just before the end of spring practice, and he came away impressed with the wealth of talent that Swinney has accumulated. “Clemson will win another ACC Title this year or next,” Pollack tweeted. “Serious, serious young talent. Love Dabo's energy & passion. Clemson's receivers
DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins So. Wide Receiver #6 6-1, 200 Central, SC View Full Profile
& Sammy Watkins will easily be one of the best 1,2 punches in College Football.” Get ‘em now, because time is quickly running out for opposing teams.
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