1,000 Yards


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1,000 Yards

For the second straight season Clemson is faced with replacing a 1,000-yard rusher on its offense.

Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
Running Back (2008 - 2012)
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC

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, who actually rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons, left a huge void heading into last season, but Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
Running Back (2009 - 2013)
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC

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stepped up into the role and played extremely well in his senior season.  McDowell actually had more yards per carry than Ellington in either of his 1000-yard seasons.

The plan last year was to be a running back by committee.  McDowell was splitting time with Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR

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and D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL

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in the spring.  Walk-on C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC

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turned some heads in fall camp and played his way into some time on the field also.  There was some talk about Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA

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playing some but injuries set him back and Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA

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was red-shirted.

The plan for running back by committee fell through when Howard and Brooks battled injuries and inconsistencies, so McDowell stepped into the role as the main back.

Heading into fall camp this year the staff is faced with the same issue of having to replace a 1,000-yard rusher and they don't have a proven commodity on board. However this year there appear to be more candidates and more depth.  Therefore, I would expect to see a 1,000-yard rusher this season but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tigers have an improved running game in 2014.

Brooks and Howard are the most experienced but to me they looked behind the younger backs in spring practice.  Brooks rushed for 119 yards as a freshman and 251 yards last season.  He has battled shoulder problems and ball security issues and will have to work hard in camp to regain the trust of the staff if he wants to be the featured back.

Howard has 599 yards rushing in his career with 231 of those coming last season.  He burst upon the scene with 86 yards on the ground against Auburn as a freshman but has not been healthy enough or consistent enough to build any momentum in his career.

Davidson is a former walk-on and track athlete from nearby Daniel High School.  He rushed for 156 yards on 34 carries last season with four touchdowns.   He was a bigger part of the game plan in the orange Bowl win over Ohio State where he touched the ball four times for 30 yards in key moments.  In my opinion, Davidson looked one of the top two backs in the spring.

The best back I saw in the spring was Gallman.  The staff decided to red-shirt him last season but loved his toughness and physical nature with the ball in his hands.  Gallman is described by Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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as a violent runner and I think he has a great chance to be the top back in this offense for several reasons.  Perhaps the most important reason though is his toughness, plus the fact the Clemson will need to replace Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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and his success in the short yardage running game.

Dye sat out last year with injuries and tore his Achilles in the spring.  I have doubts about when he will be physically 100 percent and worry about the rust and confidence heading into the fall.  When he was healthy last year Dye looked like the most talented back on campus, but he was not healthy very long.

Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
# 5-10, 200
Thomasville, GA

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is a true freshman that will have a big transition to make going from a high school quarterback to a college running back, but he has a lot of physical tools and could play his way into the rotation at some point as well.

In summary, Clemson may not feature a 1,000-yard running back in 2014 but the Tigers appear to be deeper at the position heading into fall camp.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA

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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders,  Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack  Cunningham,  Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,

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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 6-3, 270
Jacksonville, FL

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and family, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families

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