Spring RB Outlook


by - Radio Host -

Spring RB Outlook

Clemson will have to replace a guy in Wayne Gallman that broke the single season rushing record and an early entry in the NFL Draft. Gallman developed into a consistent threat and will be terribly difficult to replace.

Perhaps the most talented candidate in the race is Tavien Feaster who played sparingly as a true freshman last season. The other backs are talented, but Feaster has a different skill set. It is imperative he makes a jump and develops into the back the staff feels he can be.

A surprise last season was the improvement of C.J. Fuller. The Easley native is a power back that developed into the second team option last season. The staff trusted him more than the other candidates, and he did the most of the opportunity. Fuller is a one-cut back that has some limitations, but he is the most experienced heading into the spring. He also proved to be a valuable receiver out of the backfield. Fuller had huge touchdown catches against South Carolina and Ohio State this past season. He also set up the final touchdown in the national title game with a terrific kick-off return that put the Tigers in great field position.

Tyshon Dye transferred out of the program, and that leaves a big opportunity for Adam Choice. The Georgia native showed a lot of promise before his injury as a freshman and never seemed to recover last year. The staff is hopeful he can regain his confidence and be a factor this spring. At times, Choice has looked like a player who was ready to make a bigger impact, but setbacks have held down his role.

Clemson needed a back in this past signing class, and the staff came away with a very good one. Travis Etienne was committed to Texas A&M before he opened his recruiting back up again. At one point it looked like Tennessee was the favorite, but Clemson came in late and beat in-state power LSU for this great back. In his final two seasons of high school, Ettiene rushed for over 5,000 yards and 78 touchdowns. He will have to make the adjustment to the college game, but Etienne gives the Tigers a 215-pound back they have been looking for. Perhaps his best attribute, however, is the top end speed. My guess is that Ettiene may be second to only Feaster regarding breakaway speed.

Running back is a position that is more than just carrying the football. If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw the importance of protecting the quarterback when Devonte Freeman missed a blitz, and it cost the Falcons a huge turnover. Clemson will miss Gallman's tough yards, but maybe just as important was his ability to protect the passer. Whoever can do the little things this spring will say a lot about the pecking order at running back this fall.

Depth is a huge concern heading into the spring. Running back coach Tony Elliott will have his hands full developing the next answers at his position, but there is talent to fill the voids.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

src="https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/ads/plyler/allstate_logo.gif" border=0>

border=0>

Prayer List

The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list.

Those who need our prayers include: 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, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, 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, 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, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, 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, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland 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, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer 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, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefano, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert Smith, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie Cunningham, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Derk Denton, Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Phil Compton, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley, Riley Cook, Dwayne Wood, Eileen Thomas, Larry Nimmons and Family, Annie Gregory, Amy Black, Will Black, Sam Smith, Dixon Family, James Skalski, Joe Lazorik, Mark Smith, Rene' Nelson, R. Bruce Harnage, Norris Brown and family, Tanner Cain, Avery Cain, Ted Wilson, Sandra Wilson, Leoffels family, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Mickey Plyler: Email | Comment
Clemson dominates in win over Radford
Clemson dominates in win over Radford
Notable PFF grades, snaps for Clemson clinching CFP spot against SMU
Notable PFF grades, snaps for Clemson clinching CFP spot against SMU
Orange Crush Podcast: Clemson set to face Texas in the CFP
Orange Crush Podcast: Clemson set to face Texas in the CFP
Post your comments!