The Optimist


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The Optimist

Clemson assistant coach Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assist. Head / ST / TE
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has coached with some legends including Gene Stallings and Frank Beamer, but two guys he has worked with couldn't be any more opposite. He told me Ralph Friedgen was a pessimist by nature and it helped him become a good head coach because he sees things that will break before they break. He told me Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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is the most optimistic coach in America, and this helps because of the positive attitude that permeates through a program.

Yesterday we looked at pessimistic points of view about Clemson's season and program. Today, let's take the optimist's point of view.

The Optimistic Points:

Watson

I am not alone in thinking Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA

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has the potential to be as good as any quarterback in the country this season and as good as any in Clemson history. This is a dynamic playmaker that changes the game. Watson's skill set gives Clemson so many options in this offense. His deep ball aggressiveness is a weapon. His accuracy in the mid-range passing game is as good as any in the game. This is an arm talent that is hard to defend. His poise in the pocket is that of a veteran, and his understanding of the offense opens the playbook. Simply stated, Watson is the difference between a good season and a great one.

RB Depth

Yesterday we stated that Clemson doesn't have an All-ACC type of running back. However, depth is a strength, and many programs have followed the NFL model and used the running back by committee approach. Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 205
Loganville, GA

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, Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 215
Elberton, GA

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, Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Running Back (2012 - 2015)
#24 6-0, 200
Jonesboro, AR

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, CJ Davidson, Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
So. Running Back
#26 5-9, 215
Thomasville, GA

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and CJ Fuller give Clemson running back coach Tony ElliottTony Elliott
Co-OC / Running Backs
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plenty of options.

Difference Makers at WR

Last season we saw Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Jr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-4, 210
Vance, SC

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develop into one of the best receivers in the country when Watson was healthy. We also saw Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
So. Wide Receiver
#3 5-10, 190
Oldsmar, FL

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become a playmaker especially in the South Carolina and Oklahoma games. If Charone PeakeCharone Peake
Gr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-2, 205
Moore, SC

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is healthy, he may be the most talented. Germone HopperGermone Hopper
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#5 5-11, 175
Charlotte, NC

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has a chance to continue to be a bigger part of the offense and red-shirt freshman Trevion ThompsonTrevion Thompson
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-2, 195
Durham, NC

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

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and Ray Ray McCloud give the Tigers one of the most talented and deepest wide receiver corps in the nation.

Defensive Tackle Talent

The Tigers lost some great players like Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Defensive Tackle (2011 - 2014)
#50 6-0, 290
Conyers, GA

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, DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Defensive Tackle (2011 - 2014)
#99 6-1, 295
Central, SC

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and Josh WatsonJosh Watson
Defensive Tackle (2010 - 2014)
#91 6-4, 290
Wilmington, DE

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from last year's squad, but there is talent here. DJ Reader and Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS Jr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 295
Mooresboro, NC

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are talented and experienced. Scott PaganoScott Pagano
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-3, 295
Honolulu, HI

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feels like his time is coming. Rod Byers may get his time to shine. And true freshmen Christian WilkinsChristian Wilkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
# 6-5, 305
Longmeadow, CT

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and Albert HugginsAlbert Huggins
Fr. Defensive Line
#67 6-3, 280
Orangeburg, SC

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may play their way into prominent roles.

Playmakers in the Secondary

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

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is a shutdown corner that is as talented as any in America. Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
Jr. Safety
#20 6-4, 210
Fort Myers, FL

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looks like he is ready to take over games as well. The SAM/nickel has talent like Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
Jr. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 195
Durham, NC

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and the return of Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Safety (2012 - 2014)
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL

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. This secondary can become a strength this season.

The Home Schedule

Clemson's toughest games are at home. The Tigers get Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Florida State at home this season. All three will be in the pre-season poll and there is a chance these will be the only ranked teams the Tigers play this regular season.

Recruiting

Dabo Swinney and his staff have it rolling right now. Clemson's brand is hot on the recruiting trail. The Tigers are on top of their game in what they have to sell and how they sell it. As bright as the past has been, there is a good chance that the best is yet to come for this program.

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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, Frank Gentry, 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, Mike Tolson, 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 ThompsonBrandon Thompson
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, 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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, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Donna Springs, Elizabeth Bruner 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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