Offensive Spring Battles

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Mar 05 10:10:22 GMT-04:00 2013

Offensive Spring Battles

Spring football practice begins Wednesday and there will be several key battles the offensive staff will take a look at right off of the bat. Competition is great for every football team and this team should have plenty of competition. Here is a look at several key battles on the offensive side of the ball this spring:

Back Up QB

Usually the back up quarterback rarely gets important snaps in a season barring injury, so the back up spot is usually not a key battle. However, Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile will be gone in 2014 so Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
So. Quarterback
#8 6-5, 205
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile and Chad KellyChad Kelly
Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile are not only battling for the backup spot in 2013, they may be fighting for the inside track on the starting position for 2014. Remember though that the nation's top quarterback prospect DeShawn Watson is set to enroll in school in January and make a three-way battle.

Carries

Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile is gone so we will have a new starter at tailback. Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
RS Jr. Running Back
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC
View Full Profile had his best season as a junior last year. He was one of the biggest surprises on last year's offense. D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile has shown some signs but has been banged up. Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Fr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile played well in his limited role last year. Two true freshmen in Dye and Gallman will also get a look in August but McDowell, Howard and Brooks will get a head start beginning Wednesday.

Junior Year vs. Sophomore Year

Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile will be battling to get back to the standard he set as a true freshman in 2012. Last year Watkins was not as big of a factor due to a suspension and injuries. He is fighting to build upon the All-American season he had as a freshman.

The Second Receiver

Boyd had two All-ACC targets the past two seasons in Watkins and Nuk Hopkins but Hopkins left early for the NFL. The Tigers will need at least one receiver to step up and take over a much bigger role in the offense. Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile , Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile and Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile have all played well at times but have lacked major opportunities week in and week out. Without Hopkins around, all three will be asked to step up. Also the staff is excited about red-shirt freshman Germone HopperGermone Hopper
Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 175
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile who gives the wide receiver corps a terrific open field runner.

Starting Tight End

Clemson has started a nice tight end tradition with its last three starters. Michael PalmerMichael Palmer
Tight End
# 6-4, 228
Lilburn, GA
View Full Profile and Dwayne AllenDwayne Allen
Tight End
#83 6-3, 255
Fayetteville, NC
View Full Profile are in the NFL and Brandon FordBrandon Ford
Gr. Tight End
#80 6-4, 240
Wando, SC
View Full Profile had a very good campaign a year ago. Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS So. Tight End
#86 6-5, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile , Stanton SeckingerStanton Seckinger
RS So. Tight End
#81 6-4, 210
Isle of Palms, SC
View Full Profile , Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
Fr. Tight End
#89 6-3, 230
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile and Jordan Leggett will get a long look from tight end coach Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends
View Full Profile this spring. Cooper is the most experienced. Seckinger is a former wide out that catches the ball well. McCullough is an elite athlete and Leggett has a big upside and gets a chance to learn in his first spring.

Battle's Battle

Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Fr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
St. George, VA
View Full Profile was one of the biggest stories of the Chic-fil-a Bowl win over LSU. He had played few snaps heading into the game but an injury to Giff Timothy forced Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile to right tackle and Battle got his most extensive action. He more than held his own against perhaps the nation's top group of defensive ends that night in Atlanta and now has a chance to continue to progress. Some on the staff feel he has a chance to be as good as any lineman to play here in a long time but he has a long way to go in many areas to reach that level. If Battle can win the left tackle spot then Thomas can stay at right tackle or move inside to a guard position. This would make the offensive line even more athletic.

Center of Attention

Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Fr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Mauldin, SC
View Full Profile impressed the staff enough to get significant playing time as a red-shirt freshman. Now his role will be increased as he is expected to win the starting job at center this spring. It is tough replacing a long-time starter in Dalton FreemanDalton Freeman
Gr. Center
#55 6-5, 265
Pelion, SC
View Full Profile but the staff likes Norton's potential.

O-Line Reps

Robbie CaldwellRobbie Caldwell
Assistant Coach / Offensive Line
View Full Profile returns four starters on the offensive line but the biggest battles this spring may come for reps as backups. Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS Fr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-4, 265
Williamston, SC
View Full Profile , Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Fr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile , Eric MacLain, Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS So. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 330
Chester, SC
View Full Profile , Reid WebsterReid Webster
RS So. Offensive Line
#77 6-5, 285
Woodstock, GA
View Full Profile , Oliver JonesOliver Jones
Fr. Offensive Tackle
#65 6-5, 325
Ninety Six, SC
View Full Profile , Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Fr. Offensive Line
#71 6-5, 275
Roebuck, SC
View Full Profile and Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
Fr. Center
#57 6-3, 290
Maryville, TN
View Full Profile will have a chance to step into those positions this spring.

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Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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