First Day in Pads

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Wed Aug 06 11:08:34 GMT-04:00 2014

First Day in Pads

Today is a big day in fall camp for the Clemson football program. Today is the day that the Tigers put on pads for the first time.

Everyone looks good in shorts. Well, almost everyone. But football is a game played in full pads and today the staff will get more answers to their questions.

I doubt the quarterbacks will be live this fall. They might have been if Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile had not been dismissed, but now the Tigers have only two options at quarterback instead of three.

I always thought running backs were hard to evaluate in shorts but that changes today. I am sure the Tigers will have a few sessions of PAW drills and we will find out which running backs have the toughness to break tackles and gain those valuable extra yards.

At this point I have no idea who the best back is or what the pecking order may be. I think we could see a player or two separate from the pack starting today. Is it the senior DJ Howard? Is Zack Brooks ready to step up his game? In the spring game I thought Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile and CJ Davidson looked like the best backs but we will get more answers today.

Today is a big day for the offensive line. We will find out if Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 283
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile is big enough, strong enough, healthy enough and tough enough to win the right tackle job. Gore is athletic enough but is he ready? Today will give us some answers.

Is Eric MacLain ready to take over a guard position? Guards have to be able to pull on power plays but much of their time is spent in that nasty part of the game. Is MacLain nasty enough?

Defense will get some answers too. Running around in shorts is easy for a defense. We will start to find out today if this is a good tackling team or not. Is Tony StewardTony Steward
Sr. Linebacker
#7 6-1, 236
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile ready to become the five star linebacker after years of knee issues? Can Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 5-11, 235
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile challenge Steward?

The secondary has some new faces. Can Cordrea TankersleyCordrea Tankersley
So. Defensive Back
#25 6-1, 195
Beech Island, SC
View Full Profile win the starting corner spot? Is MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile as good as advertised at the other corner? There is a big battle at one safety spot with Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 215
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile and Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 207
Orangeburg, SC
View Full Profile . Who will emerge starting today when the pads come out?

The Tigers look like they will play with the nickel back as their base package. Who is ready to assume the spot? Are Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile and his knee ready to pick up where he left off as a true freshman two years ago or will Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
So. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 190
Durham, NC
View Full Profile continue to develop into an answer at the position?

Yeah, recruiting classes can look good on paper. Players can look athletic and impressive in shorts. But football is played in full pads and today we see what players are ready to increase their role in this team.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
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