Spring Game Answers

Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Monday, April 14 2014

Spring Game Answers

The media has limited access now with the football program so it was good to see some players in an extended evaluation period at Saturday's spring game.

Today I wanted to look at some questions we got answered from Saturday. Tomorrow I will take a look at some areas where there are still questions. Wednesday I will get into the situation that has risen with Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile.

Answers

I thought Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile looked like what I expected. It was evident he was the most experienced quarterback. He checked down when needed and didn't force the ball into coverage. Aside from the off of the field issue that arose, I thought this was the biggest difference between Stoudt and Kelly. Inexperienced showed when Kelly tried to force two throws that led to the two interceptions. If this defense is as good as I expect it to be, Clemson may benefit from better decisions and a more conservative approach with Stoudt at the helm.

Coming into the spring the running back depth chart had D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile and Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile at the top of the list. If Saturday was any indication, I thought Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile and C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile looked like the better backs. We must take into consideration that what a back does without the football is just as important and we don't know their assignments. However, Gallman and Davidson were the most productive backs. I love Gallman's mentality that he will not run out of bounds.

Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile is closer than I expected to being full strength and I still think he is ready to be the number one receiver but we saw some answers at wide receiver. Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
View Full Profile needs to block better but he is a big target with good ball skills. I thought all three true freshmen showed signs but Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 180
Tarpon Springs, FL
View Full Profile really caught my eye. He is everything I thought coming into the spring.

The tight ends are going to be a big part of the passing game. Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-6, 235
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile, Stanton Sekinger and Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS So. Tight End
#89 6-3, 230
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile are big targets in the underneath passing game.

The interior offensive line held up pretty well considering they split the teams. Also consider Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Simpsonville, SC
View Full Profile was banged up, Eric MacLain was out and some players were playing out of position. On my radio show this morning Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile said the tackle spots were still his biggest concern at this point.

On defense I saw a lot of depth and very good tackling. The front four were dominant but the touch rule on quarterbacks helped increase the sack total to 14. Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-3, 270
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile' development and a sense of urgency has helped the depth at defensive end. Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile, Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
Sr. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile and Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-4, 260
Central, SC
View Full Profile help give the Tigers talent and depth.

Depth at defensive tackle includes Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile, DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC
View Full Profile, D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 335
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile, Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
View Full Profile and Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Mooresboro, NC
View Full Profile. This is the deepest and most talented unit on the field.

At linebacker the situation is also encouraging. Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile is ready to take the next step. There is a great battle that is developing at WILL between Tony StewardTony Steward
Sr. Linebacker
#7 6-0, 235
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile and Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-1, 230
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile. I was also encouraged with T.J. BurrellT.J. Burrell
RS So. Linebacker
#41 5-11, 215
Goose Creek, SC
View Full Profile and Dorian O'DanielDorian O'Daniel
RS Fr. Linebacker
#6 6-1, 205
Olney, MD
View Full Profile at the SAM but that position will look different in the fall when the nickel becomes a bigger factor when Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Defensive Back
#11 6-0, 190
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile and Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
So. Defensive Back
#12 6-1, 185
Durham, NC
View Full Profile return full time.

Perhaps the biggest improvement might come from the secondary. There are more answers here than before. MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile looks like he has all of the tools to develop into a great corner. Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
RS Fr. Cornerback
#21 6-1, 170
Hollywood, FL
View Full Profile and Marcus Edmonds also have shown signs. Robert SmithRobert Smith
Sr. Safety
#27 5-10, 210
St. George, SC
View Full Profile is steady at one safety as is Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 180
Orangeburg, SC
View Full Profile. The bigger, younger safeties like Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile and T.J. GreenT.J. Green
So. Athlete
#82 6-2, 189
Sylacauga, AL
View Full Profile have a huge ceiling for the future.

I was impressed with Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 185
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile and his place kicking and think Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Jr. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile's punting can once again be a weapon.

There are plenty of questions to be answered and we will get more into some of those tomorrow but Saturday did show us some of the answers we were looking for from this spring.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, 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
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.