Thursday Thoughts

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Nov 7, 2013, 9:45 AM

Thursday Thoughts

Young Players Impress

In two weeks Clemson fans will say goodbye to the senior class on Senior Day. They will also see Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile play his last game in Death Valley. That will be hard, but it does make it easier knowing the younger players in the program have gotten off to a good start in their careers.

The quarterback position will miss Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile , but the future of the position appears to be in solid shape for the next few years with the promise of red-shirt freshman Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile and incoming five star signal caller Deshaun Watson.

The running backs have some promise in the long term with players like sophomore Zac BrooksZac Brooks
So. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile and C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS So. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile . The staff liked what they saw in the pre-season from a healthy Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile and Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile before they decided to red-shirt each freshman. Next season the Tigers will add three running backs to the mix, including Jae'lon Oglesby and Adam Choice.

Next year the Tigers will miss another one of the best receivers in school history in Watkins but freshmen like Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
View Full Profile and Germone HopperGermone Hopper
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile have played well at times this year. The staff will bring in at least three wide outs and like the potential of Artavis Scott.

There is a new tradition of productivity in tight ends at Clemson and freshman Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Fr. Tight End
#16 6-6, 235
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile looks like the next great one here. The staff also thinks Milan Richard could come in next year and grab some snaps.

The freshmen and sophomore offensive linemen that have the highest potential in my mind include Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
So. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
Brooklyn, NY
View Full Profile , Eric MacLain, Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
Fr. Offensive Line
#55 6-2, 325
Marston, NC
View Full Profile , Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS So. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Simpsonville, SC
View Full Profile and Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS Fr. Center
#57 6-2, 290
Maryville, TN
View Full Profile .

Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
Fr. Defensive End
#90 6-4, 260
Central, SC
View Full Profile wasted little time in making an impact at defensive end. He has as much potential as any defensive end in recent memory. A player that looks like he has improved greatly since last season is Martin AikenMartin Aiken
RS Fr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Bamberg, SC
View Full Profile , who is another freshman.

The best of the young defensive tackles could be Scott PaganoScott Pagano
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-4, 280
Honolulu, HI
View Full Profile , who red-shirted this year but impressed before his injury. The staff thinks he is a mature kid that has loads of potential.

At linebacker BJ Goodson is a sophomore that continues to improve. Kellen JonesKellen Jones
RS So. Linebacker
#52 6-1, 215
Houston, TX
View Full Profile was injured this season but looks like he could be a good one if he recovers from his ACL injury. Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
Fr. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-1, 230
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile is a hard-nosed true freshman that has made an early impact on special teams but could be the long term answer at an inside linebacker spot. The staff has at least three linebackers coming next season that they like, including Korie Rogers.

Perhaps the most impressive group of young players in the program is in the secondary. This season Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
Fr. Safety
#20 6-4, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile and Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
Fr. Defensive Back
#12 6-1, 185
Durham, NC
View Full Profile have already made an impact as true freshmen. Reports say the staff loves the red-shirt freshmen corners like MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile , Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
Fr. Cornerback
#21 6-1, 170
Hollywood, FL
View Full Profile and Marcus EdmondMarcus Edmond
Fr. Defensive Back
#29 6-1, 180
Hopkins, SC
View Full Profile .

The kicking duties will have a huge void to fill when Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
Gr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile leaves but Clemson will get its top kicker prospect in Alex Spence next season. Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
So. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile is only a sophomore and is already one of the nation's top punters.

I think this football team will change a lot in the next few seasons as new faces try to replace the current stars. However, I don't expect a big drop off in that the talent level across the board looks like it should stay at a high level for the foreseeable future.

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Prayer List

We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:

If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.

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 take the person off of the prayer list.

Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, 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, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, 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, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#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, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.