Depth Chart Thoughts

Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Thursday, May 29 2014

Depth Chart Thoughts

This week Clemson released its summer depth chart and there are a few noteworthy items. Here are eight thoughts:

Experience at Guard

David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile is suspended for the season opener at Georgia but he is listed as a starter at left guard, which is a change from the spring. Beasley has been in and out of the doghouse in his career but talent has never been the issue. Sometimes it has been conditioning and others it has been maturity but he has not always been in good graces with the staff. Maybe his demotion from the spring got his attention.

The right guard spot belongs to Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 330
Chester, SC
View Full Profile, who is another senior starter and very experienced player. The combination of Beasley and Davis gives the Tigers a big advantage in terms of experience.

Co-Starters at RT

Like Beasley, Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC
View Full Profile is also suspended for the season opener. Maybe that status has him listed as a co-starter at right tackle. Maybe Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-4, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile is finally healthy and ready to contribute. In either case, I agree with Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile when he says this position is his biggest concern heading into fall camp.

Log Jam at RB

D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile is listed as the starter but he has been banged up and inconsistent. The same can be said for second-team back Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile. In the spring the two most impressive backs were C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile and Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile, who are now listed as second teamers with Brooks. This appears to be one position where the competition will continue well into fall camp. Also add Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile to the list when he is healthy.

Co-Starters at DE

Suspensions in the Georgia game may have something to do with the fact that we have co-starters listed at one defensive end. Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
Sr. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile is the returning starter but will not make the trip to Athens. But maybe Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-3, 270
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile' sense of urgency has something to do with him being listed as a co-starter. The light has come on for Barnes who had an impressive spring.

Three at DT

Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile is clearly ahead of Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Mooresboro, NC
View Full Profile at one defensive tackle. He is the better player and Watkins missed most of last season after an automobile accident. But the other defensive tackle spot is wide open with tri-starters listed. Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
View Full Profile, DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC
View Full Profile and D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 335
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile give defensive tackle coach Dan BrooksDan Brooks
Assistant Coach / Defensive Line
View Full Profile a great problem to have. All three are talented and experienced.

Four at SLB/NB

There are four co-starters listed at the SAM/nickel spot. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, 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 missed the spring with injuries. 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 are inexperienced. I see this as two positions, actually. When they go with the SAM I can see Burrell and O'Daniel getting time. With the nickel package I can see Blanks and Wiggins in the picture. There is inexperience but with it comes some versatility.

New Corners

I am not surprised MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile is listed as the starter at one corner. He is the most talented corner on campus and is finally healthy. Plus Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS Sr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile is suspended for the opener in Athens. I am surprised to see Cordrea TankersleyCordrea Tankersley
So. Defensive Back
#25 6-1, 190
Beech Island, SC
View Full Profile listed as the starter at the other corner. He was there in the spring and I guess no one could beat him out heading into fall camp.

Peake at KOR

Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile is listed as the starter as the kickoff return man. There no others listed there. I am interested to see who will join the competition.

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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, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Mark Whiten, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.