What happened to Clemson's depth? It's all in the numbers |
ATLANTA, GA – Hang around any college football program long enough, and you’ll recognize that the atmosphere in the aftermath of any loss is usually one that leads to second-guessing, armchair quarterbacking and finger-pointing.
If it’s a particularly depressing loss, all of those events increase ten-fold, and Clemson’s loss to Georgia Tech Saturday in Atlanta was particularly galling. The big question – if recruiting has been going as well as we’ve been led to believe then how can this team and this offense be so reliant on one player? It also leads fans to question every part of the program, including strength and conditioning and even team doctors. On the ride home, we sat and talked about the state of the Clemson program and it became evident early in the conversation that Clemson’s depth has been hurt by injuries this season, but in looking back at previous recruiting classes it also became evident that there are a significant number of recruits who are either done playing because of physical problems, have transferred out of the program or been dismissed by head coach
Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney Add in early entrants into the NFL Draft and Clemson’s depth – or lack thereof – becomes particularly noticeable. Obviously the numbers are skewed because many of the players who leave or are dismissed or have injuries have their spots taken by recruits at some point over the next two seasons. However, many of those spots are taken by walk-ons and that was never more evident than Saturday when freshman
Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson A closer look at the numbers - and you can make your own decisions - but a startling 25 players from the recruiting classes from 2010-14 are either no longer with the program or have had their careers cut short by injury. When you have only 85 scholarships, that’s a big number. Listed below are all of the players who signed with Clemson and are no longer on the Tigers roster for one reason or another. If even just a few of these were still in school it would greatly improve Clemson’s depth, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Clemson had three quarterbacks on the roster at some point over the last four years that have all transferred or been forced to retire due to injury –
Morgan RobertsMorgan Roberts There are 4 wide receivers, two running backs, and six offensive linemen no longer with the Clemson program. 2010 4-star wide receiver
Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant 4-star linebacker
Justin ParkerJustin Parker 3-star defensive tackle
Tra ThomasTra Thomas 3-star linebacker
Jake NicolopulosJake Nicolopulos 3-star athlete
Joe CraigJoe Craig 3-star defensive back
Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland 3-star running back
Demont BuiceDemont Buice 3-star safety
Desmond BrownDesmond Brown 2-star linebacker Ricky Chaney – never enrolled 3-star offensive lineman
Gifford TimothyGifford Timothy 2-star safety Evan McKelvey – never enrolled 2011 5-star wide receiver
Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins 4-star running back
Mike BellamyMike Bellamy 4-star linebacker
Lateek TownsendLateek Townsend 4-star safety
Cortez DavisCortez Davis 3-star quarterback Tony McNeal – forced to retire due to injury 3-star offensive lineman
Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony 3-star linebacker
Colton WallsColton Walls 3-star offensive lineman
Jerome MaybankJerome Maybank 3-star quarterback Morgan Roberts – transferred 2012 4-star quarterback Chad Kelly – dismissed 4-star offensive lineman
Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano 3-star safety
Ronald GeohaghanRonald Geohaghan 3-star athlete Marty Williams – never enrolled 2-star offensive lineman
Josh BrownJosh Brown 2013 4-star wide receiver
Kyrin PriesterKyrin Priester Add in Clemson’s injury situation this season, and it makes it even tougher to develop the depth needed to survive a season like this one. Watson and left guard
David BeasleyDavid Beasley Defensive back
Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins How bad has it been on Clemson’s offensive line the past few seasons? Tight end
Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain Dismissals. Injuries. Transfers. It’s all in the numbers.
Head Coach
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Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
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was injured. Senior
Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
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was ineffective, but the next three options on the depth chart are either former walk-ons or walk-ons.
RS Fr. Quarterback
#15 6-2, 200
Charlotte, NC
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is now the starting quarterback at Yale,
Tony McNealTony McNeal
RS Fr. Quarterback
#12 6-0, 195
Chester, SC
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was never able to fully recover from knee injuries and
Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
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was of course dismissed from the team early this year.
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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– declared for the NFL as a junior (signed with Clemson in 2010 but had to attend prep school)
Linebacker (2010 - 2012)
#8 6-1, 235
Port Royal, SC
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– forced to retire due to injury
RS So. Offensive Line
#59 6-0, 275
Wadesboro, NC
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– transferred
Linebacker
# 6-2, 220
Anderson, SC
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– forced to retire due to illness
Wide Receiver (2010 - 2011)
#81 5-10, 160
Gaffney, SC
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– dismissed
(2010 - 2013)
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC
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– declared for the NFL as a junior
Running Back (2010 - 2011)
#24 6-1, 225
Gadsden, AL
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– transferred
Safety (2010 - 2011)
#45 5-11, 185
Centre, AL
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– dismissed
Offensive Tackle (2010 - 2013)
#70 6-6, 310
Middletown, DE
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– forced to retire due to injury
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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– declared for the NFL as a junior
Running Back (2011)
#5 5-10, 175
Nocatee, FL
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– dismissed
Linebacker (2011 - 2012)
#20 6-2, 215
Bennettsville, SC
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– transferred
Cornerback (2011 - 2012)
#29 6-3, 200
Daytona Beach, FL
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– transferred
Offensive Tackle (2011 - 2014)
#76 6-4, 276
Williamston, SC
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– transferred
Linebacker (2011)
#48 6-2, 220
Charlotte, NC
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– transferred
Offensive Guard (2011 - 2013)
#72 6-3, 345
Pawleys Island, SC
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– transferred
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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– forced to retire due to injury
Defensive Back (2012 - 2013)
#15 6-0, 185
Orangeburg, SC
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– transferred
Defensive Tackle
# 6-5, 290
Aiken, SC
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– never enrolled
Wide Receiver (2014)
#17 6-1, 186
Lilburn, GA
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– dismissed
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 323
Columbus, GA
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suffered knee injuries Saturday that could end their seasons, and they would join running backs
Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 199
Jonesboro, AR
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and
Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
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, safety
Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL
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, offensive lineman Oliver Jones and tight end
D.J. GreenleeD.J. Greenlee
RS Fr. Tight End
#87 6-1, 240
Clemson, SC
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as Tigers who have suffered season-ending injuries.
RS Sr. Cornerback
#14 5-9, 185
Roswell, GA
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, center
Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-3, 314
Maryville, TN
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, wide receiver
Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 204
Moore, SC
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, tight end
Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Sr. Tight End
#86 6-6, 250
Brentwood, TN
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and running back
D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 6-0, 205
Lincoln, AL
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have all missed significant playing time this season because of injury.
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#78 6-4, 306
Hope Mills, NC
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, tight end
Zach RiggsZach Riggs
RS Fr. Offensive Line
#54 6-4, 240
Greer, SC
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and defensive tackle Roderick Byers were each moved over the past few seasons to the line, joining former defensive tackle
Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley
Offensive Guard (2009 - 2013)
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC
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as players who were moved from other positions in an effort to create depth.
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