Morris breaks down thin running back rotation, Tyshon Dye and C.J. Fuller

Tyshon Dye is no longer wearing the green jersey and will practice this week

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Oct 20 12:34:12 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – Prior to the start of the season, both head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile and offensive coordinator Chad Morris Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile raved about Clemson’s depth at running back and said this would be the Tigers’ deepest group in years.

That depth is being tested.

Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 199
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile was lost for the season during August practice, and the Tigers learned Sunday that leading rusher Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile won’t play again this season after tearing an ACL during Saturday’s 17-13 win over Boston College. Another walk-on, bruiser Kurt FlemingKurt Fleming
Fr. Running Back
#40 6-0, 233
Louisa, VA
View Full Profile , left the Tigers for personal reasons late last week leaving freshman Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile , former walk-on C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-10, 203
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile and senior D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 6-0, 205
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile as the options left on the table.

Enter Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 5-11, 214
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile , whose Clemson career has been marked by injury. However, Morris told the media Monday in the WestZone that they will turn Dye loose this week and the hope is that he will be able to play Saturday against Syracuse, and he also said the coaches hope they can continue to hold freshman C.J. FullerC.J. Fuller
Fr. Running Back
#27 5-11, 216
Easley, SC
View Full Profile .

“I think at this point you go with what you’ve got. It doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen (Fuller),” Morris said. “With us getting Tyshon Dye, and getting him back into more of a role in practice and see how responds to contact in practice. Before you get to that point, you pump the brakes a little bit on it. It’s just been one of those years. It’s unfortunate. We lost Brooks and now losing Adam – we’ve been very fortunate around here the last three years avoiding injuries, but it’s been bad this year. But that’s football. That’s the way it goes and you just deal with it.”

Morris was asked if they expect Dye to play this weekend, and he said it will depend on how this week of practice goes before his status is determined.

“He is going to practice, so it’s hard to say at this point,” Morris said. “If it goes like we think it could go, you would hope he could play some. We would hope he could go. But he hasn’t played football in two years. He definitely would provide us some depth, especially to a position that at the start of the year was a strength of the offense from a depth standpoint. Now you are depleted a little bit and you hope that he is able to have a good week of practice and play some snaps. How many, I don’t know. But he’s definitely a big back that would provide a downhill presence. He worked out last week, but wasn’t in full contact. I expect to see back in the mix eventually. We hope to get him back this week.”

Morris said that Dye is the perfect fit for his offense, but again cautioned that Dye has to get back into football shape.

“When we saw him last was in fall camp two years ago. He is a big, violent runner. A big back. He is explosive and his center of gravity is unbelievable. His ability to change directions and go from speed to power is the biggest thing. It’s hard to compare him to somebody, because we don’t have anybody like that. He is similar to Adam in that low center of gravity, but he is two years removed from playing so he has to get back into full football shape. I expect to see him as more downhill type of runner. I saw him in high school, and he was phenomenal in high school. He was first guy I offered when I got here. He was the first offer I gave out, followed by Deshaun. There is something there. He is excited and we are excited about him.”