2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

Jan 31, 2017, 12:25 PM

QB:
1) Zerrick Cooper - Cooper is a very interesting player. Great arm, good pocket presence, and enough wheels to keep defenses honest. That being said he's still doesn't look, at least from what film we have on him from HS, like that natural of a runner. He'd much rather sit in the pocket and throw dimes, which he does very well. The staff seems very confident in him and all I've heard is good things during the year.

2) Kelly Bryant - To sleep on Kelly Bryant would be a mistake. This kid is probably the best pure athlete we have at QB. He's easily faster than Johnson or Cooper but his short comings in the passing game and recognizing defensive schemes could really hold him back if he doesn't have a great spring.

3) Hunter Johnson - Johnson is a gunslinger, he knows he's got a great arm and will throw 50/50 balls because of it. He's a much better athlete then I think people realize, he ran track for his HS team after all. He's got a quick release, great accuracy, EXCELLENT deep ball, and isn't afraid to take a hit. He's much more willing to run than Cooper imo and comes from a similar offense. This is an excellent prospect who I don't think gets as much buzz as he probably should given that Lawrence is behind him

Prediction: Cooper will be the heir apparent going into Spring and will start for us unless Johnson picks things up quickly. Bryant will be the change of pace QB and the fist off the bench.

WR:

9 Position: Cain/Overton/Higgins
1) Cain is the starter here unless something insane happens. He's not as tall as Overton and Higgins who are both in the 6'4"-6'5" range. That being said Cain is such a smooth athlete. I love Mike Williams and compare Williams to Nuk in their style of play. Cain is more like Sammy. He makes it look easier than it probably is and really glides when the ball is in his hands. His speed is electric and his route running has improved. As seen in the NCG CBs will have to take the option of sticking him tight and possibly getting blown by or given him a cushion and surrendering yards easy. Cain could leave early with a great year.

2) Overton is the prototypical 9 WR for us. Overton is a lot like Williams. He's a big body that knows how to use his size and has very good hands. He's actually a pretty good blocker which we've lacked since Peake graduated. His route running is good and he's not averse to taking a hit. I expect him to get a lot more PT this year and he continues to grow

3) Higgins is a bad bad man. This kid is a flat out stud and it can't be overstated just how much of a stud he's going to be fore us. Higgins is fast, tall, strong, a decent route runner and has that short quick burst that Renfrow has perfected to make defenders look silly. This kid is going to be a star and even though he could use a RS for some weight gain, he's pretty slim, I think he avoids one and makes at least one or two highlight catches this year.

5 Position: Renfrow/Thompson/TJ Chase

1) Hunter Renfrow probably has the best hands on the team. He attacks the ball in the air and quickly moves upfield. Renfrow has only dropped a few balls this year and that was after he'd broken his hand. After he came back he quickly reminded people why he's starting for the deepest WR corp in the country. There is no one, let me repeat myself, NO ONE that has been able to keep up with his short yard quickness. He's simply too fast in the 3-5 yard range past the LOS for a LB or CB to handle. He makes big catch after big catch and is in my opinon the safety blanket our new QB will need as he is the most reliable to make a play.

2) Trevion Thompson is another Jaron Brown imo. He's not the best at anything but he's good at everything. He's a good blocker, he catches the balls thrown his way and you rarely see him taking plays off. That being said he needs to step up and make a name for himself or he's going to be left behind

3) TJ Chase is a very good player. If he hadn't come in at like 170lbs I think he could have avoided a RS last year. He's another smooth player. He's route running is god, he's got good hands, nice quickness and again is just a great ball player. I think his vision is great as well. He seems to know exactly where to go after he has the ball to make the defense play. This guy is my sleeper for a breakout year in terms of production

2 Position: McCloud/Powell/Rogers

1) McCloud is a frustrating player. He's got all of the tools to be elite on offense and ST but he'll also disapper for a few games. Early in the year he was flat out our best WR but then he vanished after losing his PR job due to fumble issues. He's speed is not in question. He's probably faster than Cain but he has to bring focus every play. if he does then he'll have a great year and live up to his potential. If not then we'll be right here again next year

2) Powell looked very good in limited snaps. He's big, strong and reminds me of a taller Artavious Scott. Powell will push McCloud HARD next year especially since he could be a great PR/KR for us. Watch out for this kid.

3) Rogers is going to be a better Scott. Scott is tougher and harder to bring down but Rogers has better hands and change of direction. Rogers is comfortable catching the ball with his hands, something Scott never seemed able to do even this year. It's said he has great work ethic and drive and I believe he will be a vocal leader for the WR corp moving forward. I think he avoids a RS

RB: Feaster/Fuller/Choice

1) Feaster has all the tools to be better than Gallman. Everyyonee compares him to CJ and yes he has that ability but that's a lot of pressure to put on him especially since CJ never played with this type of WR talent on the outside. That being said as Feaster ran tougher north south this year then CJ did his freshman year. He's also not afraid to get hit at least once he learned his couldn't out athlete everyone on the field like in HS. As long as he earns the staffs trust in pass blocking he'll be fit to start next year or at least taking half the snaps with Fuller.

2) CJ Fuller is a great story. He came to Clemson with little fanfare but this kid has played his way into some serious PT. He's tough, had great hands (who saw that coming?), and is good in pass protection. The only thing holding him back is his vision. If he had better vision he'd be a real star imo. That being said Gallman's vision wasn't great either but he's style of play made up for it. Expect Fuller to be listed as the starter and to split time with Feaster

3) Adam Choice needs to round back into form. Let's not forget he took the starting spot from Gallman a few years ago. Choice is a bowling ball. He's got low center of gravity an is just a bear to take down once he gets a head of steam. He's also pretty good at catching the ball as well. I think he was tentative last year on his knee and expect better things this year.

TE: Richards/Smith/Williams

1) All of these guys will have an equal chance to play this year. We MUST have a pass catching TE to make the most of our offense. At this point I still think Richards is the best bet but time will tell. Smith and Willaims are more run blocking TEs.

I'll do more in another post if people want to see it. Thoughts?

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QB:
I wouldn't be surprised to see Bryant start the season just because he has more knowledge of the playbook and how to run our offense. I think Cooper will get quality PT though and maybe unseat Bryant somewhere during the season.

WR:

I love Thompson and he is a pretty decent blocker, but he has had his fair share of drops. He has also had some great catches. I just want him to have a breakout season. I think you are good to compare him to Brown. He comes to work, doesent complain, and has a good attitude. RRMIII is a frustrating player. I think his problem at WR is that he has a hard time separating from DBs because of his size and strength. I'd like to see him concentrate more and be dependable in the punt return game. He played mostly RB in HS so the game hasn't quiet come to him yet in big games. He needs more strength to play WR IMO. I think he will have a good season but I wouldn't be surprised to see Rogers come in day 1 and take some snaps. Rogers reminds me more of Artavis in that their frames are almost identical.

RB:
Fuller is a serviceable back, but he doesn't hit those holes like Gallman. He however is a solid and dependable back as we saw towards the end of the season. I honestly hope to see a RB by committee. Wouldn't even mind seeing a 2 back set bc of Feasters ability to catch out of the backfield. I hope the light comes on for Feaster and gets better at pass protection and hitting the lanes without being hesitant.

TE:
I hope to see a lot of Cannon Smith. To me he has those rare abilities to being big enough to block and also catch and bulldoze people. I think Garrett Williams will be our starter but more or less as a blocker. I would like to see Richard come on but right now I like Smith's upside.

2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

Re: 2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

Re: 2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

Re: 2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

I thought Choice hit the holes really well before he got

Gallman had an interesting running style

Re: 2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

McCloud has shown flashes of 5 star ability

Re: 2017 Offensive (QB/WR/RB) Position Predictions (Long)

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