CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
Joe Gore has had an outstanding camp

Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice


by - Senior Writer -

Fall camp is over and the full attention of the Clemson football team will turn to the opener against the Georgia Bulldogs on August 30th. In other words, spot the ball.

Clemson’s fall camp was boring – not a lot of breaking news and most of the starters were already in place – but boring can be a good thing, especially when it comes to injuries. It looked like the Tigers were going to escape the session pretty much unscathed until the news of running back Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 199
Jonesboro, AR

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hit late Tuesday and the news of Shaq Anthony's transfer surfaced Thursday.

Before we get into all of the Georgia preparation, however, there are still a few nuggets from camp that didn’t quite fit into some of the stories but I wanted to make sure you got to read. Some of these are my own observations, and some of them are from people who got to see practice on a daily basis. As you know, the media isn’t allowed to watch any of scrimmages and really none of the practice sessions (except for stretching), so a lot of what we hear has to come from those who do get to see.

Let’s start with the defense:

Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 244
Polkton, NC

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Not a lot has come out in camp about Clemson’s senior linebacker, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that Anthony is quiet and doesn’t do a lot of talking to the media. That’s ok, because he has done a lot of talking with his play on the field.

If you go back and watch the Orange Bowl, Anthony was everywhere, and he carried that momentum over into the spring and the fall. Defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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has raved about him. Head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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has raved about him. Following last Saturday’s scrimmage in Death Valley, Antony met with the media and was laughing, joking and having a good time, and even told the media, “I’m just messing with ya’ll.”

I had one person tell me that Anthony looks different on the practice field as well. In the past, he would sometimes overrun plays, but now he’s using his speed to get to the ball and then taking the proper angles to make a play. Anthony told me that having players like Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA

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and Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 292
Wilmington, DE

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and D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 322
Greensboro, NC

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in front of him – taking on blockers – helps him make plays.

This is a defense in which Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA

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gets all of the attention, but Anthony could put up some monster tackle numbers and propel himself into the top of the NFL Draft.

Grady Jarrett

In talking with a few media members the other day – sometimes practice runs way over and we have too much time to just stand around – I posed the question of who they thought was the best player on Clemson’s defense. Anthony got votes. Beasley got votes. But it’s hard to argue with Jarrett.

Whenever we would talk to opposing coaches or players last season, Jarrett was invariably the first player they would mention on Clemson’s defense. I asked Jarrett the other day if he thought the Orange Bowl was his best outing, and he said no, that he thought his effort against South Carolina was his best.

I went back and looked, and he is probably right. Jarrett had a game-high 15 tackles and two tackles for loss in 58 snaps against the Gamecocks, and their offensive line and coaches are probably still trying to figure out a way to block Jarrett. His play up the middle was a big reason that South Carolina’s vaunted rushing attack averaged just three yards per rush, and starter Mike Davis had just 43 yards on 12 carries.

I was watching the NFL Network the other day, and a former All-Pro safety said that a great defense starts up the middle – defensive tackles, middle linebacker and strong safety – and Clemson has all of those ingredients.

Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 5-11, 235
Anderson, SC

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One parent came off the field and into the tunnel following the scrimmage shaking his head and laughing. I asked what had gotten his attention, and he said that linebacker Ben Boulware is an absolute wrecking ball on defense.

He said that Boulware is almost frightening to watch, simply from the fact that he throws his body all over the field and creates the kinds of collisions that leave you wondering if he will be able to get up and make it back to the huddle.

Now that Boulware is more comfortable with the defense, he can play faster, and he will be fun to watch. Venables said the other day that Boulware and Tony StewardTony Steward
Sr. Linebacker
#7 6-1, 236
Hastings, FL

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have both had great camps, but Steward has been just a tad more consistent.

Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 207
Orangeburg, SC

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Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 215
Fort Myers, FL

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took over for Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL

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last season, and did a nice job for a freshman. The prevailing thought was that Kearse would then step easily into the starter’s role at safety this season. However, don’t be surprised if Jadar Johnson gets a ton of snaps or even starts over Kearse. By all accounts, the Orangeburg native has had an outstanding spring and impresses every time he takes the field.

Offense

Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS Fr. Offensive Guard
#55 6-2, 322
Marston, NC

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I am not sure what is going to happen with Clemson’s offensive line, at least when it comes to the depth chart. My guess would be Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-7, 285
Brooklyn, NY

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at left tackle, Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#78 6-4, 306
Hope Mills, NC

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left guard in David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 323
Columbus, GA

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’s absence at Georgia, Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 292
Simpsonville, SC

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at center, Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 340
Chester, SC

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at right guard and Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 283
Lake Waccamaw, NC

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at right tackle.

However, we’ve heard the freshman guard Tyrone Crowder has had a good camp, and he will be in the mix for playing time. Crowder walked into the hallway outside the Clemson locker room following the scrimmage, and I had to do a double-take – he’s just massive. Not overweight like he was when he first arrived on campus – dude is just a mountain of muscle. He could play sooner rather than later, especially if one of the guards struggle.

Joe Gore

Gore has solidified his hold on the right tackle spot, good news for an offensive line that has seen that position really struggle the last few seasons. Gore told me Tuesday that he really wasn’t even aware until recently that Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-4, 276
Williamston, SC

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had been suspended for the opener. Gore has had a great camp. Now let's hope that continues into the season, because Clemson is thin - really thin - at the tackle spots. Right now, Reid Webster would be the main backup, and Eric Mac Lain and Kalon are other options but the coaches need those guys at guard. I asked Swinney about the freshmen - Taylor Hearn and Justin Falcinelli - and he said they "are headed to the farm." Those guys will redshirt.

Running back

Swinney said Thursday evening that freshman running back Adam Choice would avoid and redshirt and play this season, a necessity because of the injury to Brooks. I hate the injury Brooks - he's experienced and has the best hands of any of the running backs - but maybe there is a silver lining in there. If Brooks was healthy, Choice goes to the scout team and really wouldn't have worked with the first or second teams, and the Tigers would have gone into the season with three backs - Brooks, D.J. Howard and C.J. Davidson - who are very similar in body type. Choice is a bowling ball, a tough runner who looks extremely gifted. He presents a different look for the defense, and his emergence might be just what this running game needs, especially if Chad Morris wants to go to more of a power running game.

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Subject (Replies: 25) Author
spacer New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
TigerNet News®
spacer Good article, as usual***
Marshall®
spacer Can't help but think we will see a lot of Crowder
NortherTiger
spacer Re: Can't help but think we will see a lot of Crowder
Bulldogpaw
spacer sorry Mr Hood your statement about the RB's is wrong
orangeblood10
spacer Message removed by Author
NikkiHood®
spacer Brooks actually was the lightest of the RBs though
Drobins
spacer In what universe is DJ a "quick back"?***
CM Shack®
spacer Wasn't a mistake..you read it wrong
DavidHood®
spacer I re-read and see where I could read it wrong, however
orangeblood10
spacer Re: Wasn't a mistake..you read it wrong
CLEMPZENtygurs
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
DavidHood®
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Nice article and insight!***
Razzmatazz
spacer Spot the ball!! Win or lose, I'm ready to watch the Tigers
AllTimeClemson
spacer Re: Spot the ball!! Win or lose, I'm ready to watch the Tigers
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
deleted
spacer Y'all help me out- which RB is the 20 something bulldozier?
Tickled Orange
spacer Crowder is going to be the the starter***
Shevlin77
spacer We will be constantly guessing as to who is in the backfield
Tall_Tiger_Two
spacer Wow, there sure are a lot of English and Journalism......
blackrivertiger
spacer Re: Wow, there sure are a lot of English and Journalism......
CLEMPZENtygurs
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
Tigerdug23®
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
I bleed orange
spacer Re: New Story: Final fall camp nuggets, including the emergence of Boulware and Choice
icebucket®