CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Seven Games In: Who has avoided a redshirt and who is on the bubble?
Tyler Davis has played in all seven games and has played 220 snaps.

Seven Games In: Who has avoided a redshirt and who is on the bubble?


by - Senior Writer -

Seven games into the 2019 season a clear picture is beginning to emerge of the 2019 signees who will avoid a redshirt and those who will likely redshirt this season. And, as always, a few are right on the bubble.

Prior to the 2018 season, a player could lose a season of eligibility by playing just one game -- or even just one snap in a game. If a player was injured after a certain number of games (three games or 30 percent of contests, whichever was greater), they might get a medical redshirt for that season.

Under the new rules, Division I college football players are now able to play in up to four games per season without using a season of eligibility. That flexibility allows coaches the opportunity to take a longer look at players and make determinations later in the season.

Clemson linebacker James Skalski redshirted last season but still played in four games, including the postseason.

Head coach Dabo Swinney was asked about the redshirts a few weeks ago and he said that decisions were still being made.

“I think we still have plenty of room on a few guys to make a couple of decisions,” Swinney said. “We will actually talk about that and decide we are with all of our freshmen. Some guys, we already know. We are all in to play them, but some we are kind of on the fence. We know we have four games to play with and we will talk about it a little bit.”

Thirteen members of the 2019 recruiting class have played in over four games and have avoided a redshirt. Here is that list – the number of games is in parentheses and I’ve added the number of snaps each player has played.

Avoided redshirt

RB Chez Mellusi (5) 42 snaps

RB Mikey Dukes (5) 39 snaps

WR Joseph Ngata (7) 162 snaps

WR Frank Ladson (7) 128 snaps

TE Davis Allen (7) 100 snaps

DT Tyler Davis (7) 220 snaps

S Lannden Zanders (6) 51 snaps

CB Sheridan Jones (6) 57 snaps

DB Andrew Booth (7) 43 snaps

DB Joseph Charleston (6) 39 snaps

LB Kane Patterson (7) 44 snaps

DB Jalyn Phillips (6) 28 snaps

OL William Putnam (5) 78 snaps

It’s interesting to note that quarterback Taisun Phommachanh, tight endJaelyn Lay, defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro, and linebacker Keith Maguire can each play in one more game and still redshirt. Those could be players who are currently on the bubble and the coaches are in a wait-and-see attitude. Swinney told his radio audience Monday night, however, that they intend to redshirt Lay.

Of course, everybody except linebacker Bryton Constantin (torn ACL) can still avoid a redshirt, but a look at the numbers tells you what you probably need to know about who will redshirt this season, barring a rash of injuries at that position.

Still eligible to redshirt

LB Bryton Constantin – INJURY

QB Taisun Phommachanh (3) 43 snaps

TE Jaelyn Lay (3) 33 snaps

LB Keith Maguire (3) 7 snaps

DT Ruke Orhorhoro (3) 22 snaps

LB LaVonta Bentley (2) 1 snap

OL Hunter Rayburn (2) 19 snaps

WR Brannon Spector (2) 27

S Ray Thornton (2) 3 snaps

OL Kaleb Boateng (2) 12 snaps

P Aidan Swanson (2)

OT Mason Trotter (2) 13 snaps

DE Greg Williams (1) 2 snaps

DT Etinosa Reuben (1) 3 snaps

DT Tayquon Johnson (1) 1 snap

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