Player Development


by - Radio Host -

Player Development

This Clemson football staff gets a lot of credit for being great recruiters and the recruiting classes in recent years have been among the best in school history.

But I think they don't get enough credit for player development. Everyone wants to talk about how Dabo is only a great recruiter. I hear how its is only the scheme of Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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that won games in the past four seasons. I see where Joey Batson and the strength and conditioning programs take a beating on the internet.

So raise your hand if four years ago you thought Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
Defensive End (2010 - 2014)
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA

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would be a top 10 NFL draft pick. How many of us thought Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Defensive Tackle (2011 - 2014)
#50 6-0, 290
Conyers, GA

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would be a name called on the second day of the draft?

Sure it was easy to see Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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rise to the fourth overall pick in last year's draft but remember Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
Offensive Line (2009 - 2013)
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC

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went from a high school tight end to the 100th overall pick as an offensive lineman. Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
(2010 - 2013)
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC

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was not highly recruited out of high school but left Clemson after his junior season and had a great rookie season in Washington. When Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

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first showed up at Clemson he couldn't catch a cold. He had a wonderful year in the NFL for the Steelers.

The point is that it is not only about talent acquisition at Clemson. Sure it helps to sign five star players like CJ Spiller, Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA

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, Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Linebacker (2011 - 2014)
#42 6-3, 245
Polkton, NC

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, Christian WilkinsChristian Wilkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
# 6-5, 305
Longmeadow, CT

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and Deon CainDeon Cain
Fr. Wide Receiver
# 6-1, 190
Tampa, FL

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.

There is a decent chance that Clemson will have future first rounders with great players already on campus and those coming this year. It is not a reach to think Watson will be a very rich man in two or three years. Players like Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
Jr. Safety
#20 6-4, 210
Fort Myers, FL

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and Mackensie AlexanderMackensie Alexander
RS So. Cornerback
#2 5-10, 190
Immokalee, FL

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came to Clemson with great potential and it didn't surprise anyone that they have turned into future NFL prospects. They are young, but players like Mitch HyattMitch Hyatt
Fr. Offensive Line
#75 6-6, 270
Sugar Hill, GA

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, Cain, Wilkins, Ray Ray McCloud, Milan RichardMilan Richard
RS Fr. Tight End
#80 6-2, 245
Savannah, GA

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and Mark FieldsMark Fields
Fr. Cornerback
# 5-10, 185
Cornelius, NC

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should already be thinking about a potential NFL career if they stay healthy.

But how many of us saw Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Jr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-4, 210
Vance, SC

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in high school and thought here is a guy we are worried about leaving for the NFL after his junior season? How many of us saw Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC

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as a guy that could have left after his sophomore season at Clemson?

In the next few years there will be other Grady Jarretts. I don't mean they will be as productive as Jarrett. Instead, I am speaking about players that the staff didn't have to beat Ohio State on, but still go on to NFL careers.

This staff doesn't get enough credit for player development. We all get excited on signing day when another five star signs with the Tigers. But we should also have the confidence in the track record of Marion HobbyMarion Hobby
Co-DC / Defensive Ends
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and Dan BrooksDan Brooks
Assoc. Head Coach / Def. Tackles
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. We should know that every day Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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is working. We should look at the results of Batson and the conditioning staff.

No, this program is not about just talent acquisition. It is also about player development. Just ask Beasley and Jarrett.

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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, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki 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, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack  Cunningham,  Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, 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, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Jay Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Zach and Griffin Johnson, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Sarah McManus, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Earl Gilstrap, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC

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, Robert Summerville, Wendell Harrington, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert SmithRobert Smith
Safety (2011 - 2014)
#27 5-11, 215
St. George, SC

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, 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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