Increased Production
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about the statistics that could improve from a team standpoint and today I wanted to look at some of the individual numbers.
One of the biggest jumps this season could come from
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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. Everyone knows Watkins had issues last season and his productivity was down. I would be very surprised if we did not see numbers that looked like his freshman stats (82 receptions, 1,219 yards, 12 touchdowns, 231 rushing yards and 826 kickoff return yards) instead of his sophomore numbers (57 catches, 708 yards, three touchdowns, 97 yards rushing, 257 kickoff return yards).
Corey Crawford
Corey Crawford
Jr. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA
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is a key to the defense. He has had one career sack, so that number will have to increase.
The Tigers lose
Andre Ellington
Andre Ellington
Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
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and his 1,081 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Clemson will need more productivity from
Roderick McDowell
Roderick McDowell
Gr. Running Back
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC
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(450 yards, 5 touchdowns last season), DJ Howard (138 yards, two touchdowns),
Zac Brooks
Zac Brooks
So. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
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(119 yards, no touchdowns). The freshmen duo of
Tyshon Dye
Tyshon Dye
Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA
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and
Wayne Gallman
Wayne Gallman
Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
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may be a part of the solution as well.
Like Ellington, Nuk Hopkins will be missed. Gone are his 82 receptions, 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Charone Peake
Charone Peake
Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
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will have to increase his numbers from 25 receptions for 172 yards and two scores.
Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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is looking to increase his total of ten catches for 305 yards and four scores from last season.
Three years ago Clemson inked two five-star linebackers and this is the season I think both could have a major impact. Last season
Stephone Anthony
Stephone Anthony
Jr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC
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had 77 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Tony Steward
Tony Steward
Jr. Linebacker
#7 6-0, 235
Hastings, FL
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had 26 tackles but 12 were on special teams. These are numbers that should see a dramatic rise this season.
Clemson averaged 39.2 yards per punt last season. I believe
Bradley Pinion
Bradley Pinion
So. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC
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has the capability to get that number over 40 and closer to 44 or 45 this season.
Speaking of special teams, Clemson has seen a dramatic drop in the return game in recent seasons. Since
C.J. Spiller
C.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL
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left, the Tigers have not had consistent success here unless you count a couple by Watkins against Maryland in 2011. Last season Clemson averaged only 20.5 yards per kick off return, so that number could be improved. The Tigers averaged only 4.3 yards per punt return and I am hoping we see that number increase this season.
Clemson cornerbacks picked off only four passes last season. I am hopeful that Baushad Breeland,
Darius Robinson
Darius Robinson
Cornerback
#8 5-10, 175
College Park, GA
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,
Garry Peters
Garry Peters
RS Jr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA
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,
MacKensie Alexander
MacKensie Alexander
Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL
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and the rest of the newcomers have that number up this season.
Last season Clemson kicked off 97 times and 50 were touchbacks. I am hoping that that number increases this season and look for Pinion to be a factor.
"Scoop and score" is a term used by defensive coordinators all of the country. Teams are obviously more dangerous when the defense becomes offensive. Last season Clemson had only one fumble return and it was for 16 yards and a touchdown. I would like to grow.
The Tigers only forced 12 fumbles last season with only four guys returning that caused a fumble. I would like to see Anthony,
Vic Beasley
Vic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
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,
Quandon Christian
Quandon Christian
RS Sr. Linebacker
#34 6-2, 225
Lake View, SC
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and
Josh Watson
Josh Watson
RS Jr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
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improve from their one caused fumble this season.
Clemson's defensive tackles
Grady Jarrett
Grady Jarrett
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
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, Josh Watson,
DeShawn Williams
DeShawn Williams
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC
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, DJ Reader and
Carlos Watkins
Carlos Watkins
So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Mooresboro, NC
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had seven sacks a season ago. I would love to see the pocket get pushed back into the passer more often this year.
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We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
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Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll,
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#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, Marcus Lattimore, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Patrick Heher, 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, Johnnie Walker, 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, our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day plus their families.
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