Playing time breakdown: Clemson going into the Playoff

Ray Ray McCloud notched a couple solo tackles in addition to over 100 all-purpose yards against Miami.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Wed Dec 13 12:12:38 GMT-04:00 2017

Another comfortable win, another game to rest starters and gain experience down the depth chart.

That’s been the story of the season and even a top-10 matchup with Miami was no different, cruising to a 38-3 victory to punch a ticket to the Sugar Bowl and a matchup with Alabama.

A healthier Clemson defense mixed in five more scholarship contributors than the South Carolina game, with 28, playing 17 different Tigers in the back-seven and going three-deep in the defensive tackle rotation.

Slowed by injury in fall camp, redshirt freshman Shaq Smith has benefitted from extra playing time down the stretch. The former five-star prospect played 17 snaps in the first 10 games and has seen 55 plays in the last three games, including three tackles in 15 snaps against the Hurricanes.

Also injury-hampered, senior cornerback Marcus Edmond faced an FBS opponent for the first time since the Auburn game in week two, with one tackle in 15 snaps.

Ray Ray McCloud got in on two tackles in addition to six catches for 100 yards and three rushes for six yards in 28 snaps. He also returned two punts for 19 yards.

On the offensive line, eight Tigers played at least 30 snaps for the third time this season.

Check out the totals below...

Playing time breakdown: Snap totals versus Miami

(Noted: Season totals in parentheses. Snaps are tracked for depth-chart contributors and select scholarship athletes. Players are listed at their positions by the week’s depth chart. The participation report is provided by Clemson.)

Offense (32)

Quarterback (3): Kelly Bryant 61 (816), Zerrick Cooper 9 (104), Hunter Johnson 6 (76).

Running Back (4): Tavien Feaster 24 (348), C.J. Fuller 21 (222), Travis Etienne 18 (222), Adam Choice 12 (153).

Wide Receiver (9): Deon Cain 47 (604), Hunter Renfrow 41 (600), Ray Ray McCloud 28 (575), Amari Rodgers 22 (231), Tee Higgins 20 (175), Diondre Overton 17 (221), T.J. Chase 16 (170), Trevion Thompson 13 (234), Cornell Powell 11 (149).

Tight End (5): Milan Richard 37 (548), Cannon Smith 15 (175), D.J. Greenlee 15 (166), Shadel Bell 6 (54), J.C. Chalk 5 (46).

Offensive Line (11): Justin Falcinelli 60 (862), Mitch Hyatt 60 (772), Taylor Hearn 42 (707), Maverick Morris 41 (401), Tremayne Anchrum 35 (540), John Simpson 34 (300), Sean Pollard 33 (477), Tyrone Crowder 30 (537), Gage Cervenka 16 (101), Cade Stewart 7 (98), Zach Giella 6 (34).

Defense (28)

Defensive End (5): Clelin Ferrell 35 (647), Austin Bryant 33 (609), Chris Register 22 (219), Justin Foster 21 (84), Xavier Kelly 7 (76).

Defensive Tackle (6): Christian Wilkins 31 (602), Dexter Lawrence 29 (387), Albert Huggins 18 (206), Albert Huggins 16 (206), Nyles Pinckney 12 (171), Sterling Johnson 5 (83).

Linebackers (8): Dorian O’Daniel 46 (654), Kendall Joseph 46 (612), James Skalski 32 (149), Jalen Williams 15 (191), Shaq Smith 15 (73), J.D. Davis 14 (285), Chad Smith 12 (126), Judah Davis 3 (54).

DB (CB/S/NB – 9): Van Smith 41 (570), Ryan Carter 39 (629), Trayvon Mullen 37 (600), K’Von Wallace 29 (373), A.J. Terrell 24 (230), Isaiah Simmons 23 (253), Marcus Edmond 15 (46), Tanner Muse 12 (467), Denzel Johnson 11 (53).

Did not play: LB Tre Lamar** (331), CB Mark Fields** (246), CB Amir Trapp (57), OT Chandler Reeves 53, CB Brian Dawkins Jr. (0).

Special teams-only: S Nolan Turner (44).

Can still redshirt (7): CB LeAnthony Williams, OG Matt Bockhorst, OT Blake Vinson, QB Chase Brice, OT Noah DeHond, LB Baylon Spector, DE Jordan Williams.

**Injured pregame or in-game.