CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Final Spring Game Thoughts
Tavaris Barnes brings down running back Zac Brooks.

Final Spring Game Thoughts


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – The benching incident with quarterback Chad Kelly Chad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY

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overshadowed a lot things from the spring game, and we spent the few hours after the end of the game trying to get a handle on exactly what had happened and making sure the information was released in the right away.

Unfortunately, that led us to overlook a lot of the good things we saw during the game, and before we get too far removed from the game itself I wanted to get a few of those thoughts out there.

I thought the defense was as good as advertised – on both sides – and it looks like Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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is beginning to build depth across the board. Heck, I was even impressed with the younger defensive backs.

But there were a number of good things that came out of Saturday, not a lot of bad except for the Kelly situation, and here is my take on a few of those.

Other thoughts

Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH

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I recently spoke to a former member of Alabama’s staff, and we talked about the quarterback situation here at Clemson. I was told that Bama head coach Nick Saban – because of the type of defense he was able to put out on the field – wanted a quarterback who could manage the game, make all the throws, and stay away from the critical mistake.

In case you haven’t noticed, Clemson’s defense looks to be in pretty good shape this season, and that strategy could work well here at Clemson. Stoudt is more than just a boring game manager, however; he actually made some really nice throws Saturday, didn’t get rattled under pressure and hit his check downs when he had to.

Should be fun to watch.

Defensive line

The White defeated the Orange 24-5 as the Orange offense struggled most of the day. But did you see the White’s starting defensive line? Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA

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, Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA

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, D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 335
Greensboro, NC

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and Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-3, 270
Jacksonville, FL

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. On a split squad. I daresay about 90 percent of the schools in the country would take that “split squad” as their front four any day.

When the news broke that starting defensive end Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
Sr. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA

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would be suspended for the opener at Georgia, I assumed (like many people) that Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-4, 260
Central, SC

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was first in line to get the start in Crawford’s spot. Barnes has changed that thinking – people say he has been light’s out at practice, and he was a force Saturday. He made the first tackle of the game and just wasn’t really blocked all game. He says he has his swagger back, and he told us after the game that he is preparing for a monster season.

An unsung hero on the day was defensive tackle DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC

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, who played 80-plus snaps after Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE

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went out with an injury in the first half.

Defensive standouts

There were many, but I asked defensive coordinator Brent Venables to name five that stood out to him, and he said Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC

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, Robert SmithRobert Smith
Sr. Safety
#27 5-10, 210
St. George, SC

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, Tavaris Barnes, Williams and MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL

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.

Grayson connection

Two summers ago, Grayson High School and the saga surrounding Robert Nkemdiche was the topic of conversation around these parts. Some people blasted the Clemson coaches for taking Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA

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and later Ryan CarterRyan Carter
RS Fr. Defensive Back
#31 5-10, 175
Grayson, GA

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and even adding quarterback Nick SchuesslerNick Schuessler
RS So. Quarterback
#3 6-3, 185
Grayson, GA

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, thinking that Swinney was using other players as bait for Nkemdiche. People groused about Gallman, especially, and many said he wasn’t a natural runner and might even be moved to linebacker. Of course, those same people will probably now claim they knew all along that Gallman would be a force.

Let’s face it, Gallman looked pretty dang good Saturday. He was shifty, powerful and explosive, and that echoes what I’ve heard about him since bowl practice. Heck, even Boyd said that while Gallman was on scout team last season, the veterans were always watching him, knowing he could be special.

Another Grayson standout was Carter, who was all over the field in the secondary and wound up with eight tackles. That doesn’t even count Schuessler, who looked pretty good during his stints on the field. With the loss of Kelly, Schuessler now takes on an even more important role. It looks like Clemson might have gotten the best end of the deal, considering the drama that has followed Nkemdiche and that the Tigers got three players who might all contribute at some point this season.

Running backs

Speaking of the running backs, Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR

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was asked where he thinks he sits on the depth chart, and he said second or third. He told us he knows he has work to do this summer and this fall. C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC

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looked like he could be special, building off what he did last season, and D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL

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ran hard. That is another competition that should be interesting to watch once fall camp starts. Right now, could you argue with Gallman and Davidson as the co-starters? And don’t forget about big, rumbling Kurt Fleming, the former outfielder in the Braves system. He’s raw, but did break off a big run.

WILL linebacker

Another competition is out at the weakside linebacker spot. Tony StewardTony Steward
Sr. Linebacker
#7 6-0, 235
Hastings, FL

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has been penciled in as the starter all spring, but it looks like Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-1, 230
Anderson, SC

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is pushing for playing time. I spoke to Boulware after the game, and he said he is going to do everything he can to convince the coaches he deserves to play. However, he also said that Steward has been a great mentor and teacher throughout the spring. More to come on Boulware later.

Tight ends

Yep,I like what Clemson has going on at wide receiver, but with an emphasis on the running game and the lack of a Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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on the outside, the tight end might play an even bigger role in the offense this season. Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-6, 235
Navarre, FL

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flashed a lot of his potential Saturday, showing he can be a dangerous weapon.

Kicking game

More to come on Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 185
Alpharetta, GA

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later as well, but he and punter Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Jr. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC

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have shown that Clemson’s kicking game and special teams should be in good hands this season. I would still like to see a solid return guy step forward, especially in kickoff return, and see the mistakes in the punt return game eliminated.

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