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Replies: 60
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Orange Elite [5311]
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Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 3:53 PM
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Dwight Clark would be the best at the professional level, but he wasn't the best at Clemson. Edit: thought he was a TE
Bennie Cunningham was well before my time. His accolades are beyond impressive, but I'm asking the experienced members of the board, was he better than Dwayne Allen and/or Jordan Leggett?
Message was edited by: tigerfanatic12
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TigerNet Champion [117416]
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Dwight Clark was a WR.***
Jun 17, 2019, 3:55 PM
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Orange Elite [5311]
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My mistake about Dwight Clark. I thought he was a TE. Another one before my time***
Jun 17, 2019, 4:00 PM
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TigerNet Champion [117416]
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No worries, Clemson's had some good TEs, including Palmer
Jun 17, 2019, 4:05 PM
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Ford & Leggett - starting with Palmer, pre-Allen, a really nice run of All-ACC performers.
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Game Changer [1640]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 3:57 PM
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Dwight Clark was a QB turned wide receiver. He did not play tight end. Cunningham in my opinion is the best I ever saw going back to 1958.
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Hall of Famer [22127]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:56 PM
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Just imagine our current team if we had a Bennie Cunningham type TE? Lawrence would have so many options and our opponents would not have enough men or talent to cover our receivers.
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CU Medallion [18035]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:02 PM
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Bennie Cunnigham gets my vote. He was big, had good speed and could catch about anything.
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Valley Legend [12363]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:04 PM
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Bennie accomplished all that on some lousy Clemson teams. Also excellent for the dynasty Steeler teams of the '70s.
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All-American [598]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:06 PM
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I think it has to be Benny Cunningham and really not even close...... Benny was as athletic as anybody you will see today. He was an outstanding football and basketball player in high school...... at the college level he was a nightmare of a matchup with his size, speed and hands.
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CU Guru [1149]
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Leggett was outstanding, but he was really a WR. Not
Jun 17, 2019, 4:17 PM
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much in the blocking dept. Cunningham gets my vote. He did everything exceptionally well, and he was a giant off the field, both during his playing days and after. Dwayne Allen was terrific, though.
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Dynasty Maker [3563]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:19 PM
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Besides being a prototype TE, Benny was a big time national high school recruit.
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Orange Blooded [2021]
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didn't he
Jun 18, 2019, 6:07 PM
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go to laurens or Seneca high? so your tellin me he was a guy that even in the 70's all coaches knew about him across the country? Like a Roscoe Crosby in the 70's as far as wanting to land this type of talent.
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Heisman Winner [78254]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:28 PM
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So if Bennie was before your time you just discount the ALL Americana and solid pro on great teams? Dwight was big but he was a wr not a tight end. Do some Bennie homework
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Orange Elite [5311]
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Seriously?! That's why I ended it with a question mark. I don't know
Jun 17, 2019, 4:45 PM
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Never saw him in college or the pros. That's why I asked the question.
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Heisman Winner [78254]
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Re: Seriously?! That's why I ended it with a question mark. I don't know
Jun 17, 2019, 5:04 PM
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well look him up. it will be worth while. In that O he was asked to do more blocking and less catching that a TE now but then he got it he drug db's for many yards after catch. Quick slant to te was unreal with him. Used to feel sorry for db's having to tackle him. his hs teammate was on the same team as OT. Bennie was as big or bigger than him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVJMeu97k5M
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Ring of Honor [21013]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 4:52 PM
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1 Bennie Cunningham
2 Dwayne Allen
3 Jordan Leggette
4 Michael Palmer
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Solid Orange [1322]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 5:00 PM
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john mcmakin has to be on that list.. perhaps as high as #2.
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All-TigerNet [11934]
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Valley Legend [12594]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 5:17 PM
[ in reply to Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers? ] |
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Good list!
I think I would go:
1. Bennie Cunningham
2. Dwayne Allen
3. Jordan Leggette
4. Jim Riggs
5. Michael Palmer
6. John McMakin
7. Bob Poole (Joe 21 will know who he is. Played when we only threw the ball about once every other game!)
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Game Day Hero [4202]
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Bob Poole a name from long ago
Jun 17, 2019, 5:31 PM
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Unless he was in your class. Watched him make some great catches in practice. As you said we only threw the ball about twice a game back then so not much in the way of statistics to compare with.
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Ring of Honor [22310]
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Offensive Star [347]
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Re: Danny had some very good TE's, we just never
Jun 18, 2019, 6:48 AM
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Dunn started over Riggs while they were both on the roster (Dunn was one year ahead of Riggs).
Palmer, Allen, and Leggett were targeted a lot more than most other TE's. All of them had single years in which they had as many or more receptions than either Dunn or Riggs had in their entire careers. But as you note, that's due to DF's offense, not their (Dunn's and Riggs') ability as receivers.
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Ring of Honor [22310]
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Danny also had
Jun 18, 2019, 10:24 PM
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Bubba Diggs, James Coley, Stacy Fields. All really good players. I think Coley played in the NFL as well. In that offense though, they were a third tackle most of the time.
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110%er [6662]
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110%er [3824]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 9:48 PM
[ in reply to Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers? ] |
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5. Keith Jennings
6. John McMakin
7. Anthony King for versatility also played tackle, LB (listed) (and guard iirc)
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CU Guru [1944]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 18, 2019, 6:16 AM
[ in reply to Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers? ] |
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Keith Jennings was better than Palmer. Maybe even better than D Allen. Definitely a better blocker than Leggett. I think I’d put him at #2 behind Cunningham
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Clemson Conqueror [11747]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 5:02 PM
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Christian Wilkins....if only Dabo had given him the chance.
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Orange Blooded [2021]
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heres my list
Jun 17, 2019, 5:43 PM
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5.Dwight Clark
4.Bubba Diggs
3.Dwayne Allen
2.Jim Riggs
1.Bennie Cunningham
*Also I think Ben Hall would've been the best talent of them all physically.
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CU Guru [1944]
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Re: heres my list
Jun 19, 2019, 1:02 AM
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+1 for the Ben Hall. I’d forgotten about him because of the total waste of talent Bowden & Co. made of him.
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Oculus Spirit [39331]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 5:44 PM
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1. Cunningham
2. Allen
3. Jennings
4. Leggett
TE is a multifaceted position , so a preference is based on strengths and weaknesses and should vary greatly based on the respondent's age , memory and knowledge of the position .
My 4 is exactly right though and needs no adjustments .
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Head Coach [960]
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+1 for Keith Jennings reference***
Jun 17, 2019, 6:00 PM
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Orange Phenom [14572]
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I wasn't around for Cunningham but i think Allen > Leggett***
Jun 17, 2019, 5:53 PM
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [101056]
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Bennie Cunningham gets my vote. ***
Jun 17, 2019, 5:55 PM
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Game Changer [1889]
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Re: Bennie Cunningham gets my vote. ***
Jun 17, 2019, 6:13 PM
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Once Bennie got the ball I would laugh at all the opposing players jumping on him trying to tackle him. He was a man....
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All-TigerNet [14488]
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Dwayne Allen
Jun 17, 2019, 5:56 PM
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That said, I wasn't old enough to see Cunningham
Big fan of Michael Palmer & the Sr version of Leggett
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Orange Blooded [2399]
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big Bennie's the best not even close***
Jun 17, 2019, 8:18 PM
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All-TigerNet [5919]
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Surprised Only A Little Mention of
Jun 17, 2019, 8:28 PM
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John McMakin.
I would rank him third behind Bennie Cunningham and Dwayne Allen.
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Tiger Titan [50665]
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Dwayne Allen gets my vote.***
Jun 17, 2019, 9:03 PM
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Ultimate Tiger [33235]
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Jim Riggs - that dude could set the edge like nobody's biz
Jun 17, 2019, 9:34 PM
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He HAD to be a beast for Rodney & Terry & Tracy & all those backs to chew up real estate like they did.
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Orange Immortal [64968]
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I think Bennie Cunningham was the best TE ever to play
Jun 17, 2019, 10:31 PM
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at Clemson. He was a beast; a big TE for his time who had great hands and could run. Rarely did one guy bring him down, and he flat ran over and/or drug a lot of would-be tacklers. He was basically a 6-5, 250 lb WR who blocked like a tackle. Dwayne Allen was probably the second best, and Jordan Leggett is right there. Going back even before Bennie Cunningham, a guy named John McMakin was a great one. Went in the 3rd round to the Steelers and played on their first Super Bowl team. I'd round out my top 5 with Michael Palmer.
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Orange Blooded [3194]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 10:40 PM
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I really liked Michael Palmer the best. He was a trooper. The hit he took at Miami in 09 was scary. Idk if there’s video anywhere on it but it’s a hit you don’t want to watch more than once
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Paw Warrior [4980]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 10:42 PM
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CUNNINGHAM!
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Legend [18408]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 10:52 PM
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Everyone put together a great list and as most would agree BC was the best but can’t believe in anyone in this thread didn’t mention
Lamont Hall. He played during the forgotten years when west didn’t use a TE. He could have broken a lot of records but was never utilized correctly... and he darn sure didn’t have anyone to teach him technique but man he could pancake with the best.
Would love to see what Dabo could do with him!!!
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Legend [18408]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 10:54 PM
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That and I respect him for being a HS teacher nowadays... I guess he’s still teaching.
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Hall of Famer [8930]
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Bennie Cunningham. By far. He dragged people 5 or 10 yards
Jun 17, 2019, 10:54 PM
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after the catch. A man among boys. He was fun to watch. And he was the primary offensive threat during his years at Clemson.
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Hall of Famer [8930]
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DUH! Bennie!!! Any other 2 time 1st All-Americans
Jun 17, 2019, 11:05 PM
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ever play TE at Clemson? Didn't think so.
No contest. Bennie Cunningham.
I feel honored to have been a student during his last two years at Clemson.
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Hall of Famer [8930]
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He is the main reason Clemson went 7-4 in 74
Jun 17, 2019, 11:07 PM
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winning all 7 home games.
Leading to rule that Bowls had to wait longer to select their teams -- after Clemson got snubbed.
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Game Day Hero [4541]
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Standout [311]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 17, 2019, 11:58 PM
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I’m an old fart. Bennie Cunningham gets my vote
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Game Changer [1914]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 18, 2019, 12:24 AM
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Lamont hall was pretty darn good. He also had a pretty solid nfl career to boot.
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Freshman [2]
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I'd say Dwayne Allen. The dude caught about everything Tajh
Jun 18, 2019, 8:33 AM
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threw within reasonable catching distance. He saved Tajh's and Clemson's butt on a lot of 3rd and long plays, and he's still playing pro ball.
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Top TigerNet [32905]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 18, 2019, 8:34 AM
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Bennie Cunningham, Jim Riggs, Michael Palmer & Jordan Leggett get my votes.
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Paw Warrior [4653]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 18, 2019, 9:21 AM
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1). Bennie Cunningham 2) John McMakin
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110%er [4090]
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Ben Cunningham is first followed by Allen and Leggett(nm)
Jun 18, 2019, 9:17 AM
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nm
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Paw Master [16363]
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It is hard to compare players from different eras.
Jun 18, 2019, 3:22 PM
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Bennie Cunningham was a great player at Clemson and a superb pro. His size, speed and hands made him a great TE. So despite it being a hard comparison, I think Cunningham was the best TE Clemson ever had.
In modern era, I think Dwayne Allen was the best overall TE. Having said that, Leggett was a pass catching machine. His amazing turning, twisting reaching catch against Bama on the drive to beat Bama in the 2016 Natty game was easily the most spectacular catch I've ever seen a TE make.
I'm not sure of the value of such comparisons. I don't think we've ever had a more impactful QB than Steve Fuller. On his best day, Homer Jordan could and did beat the best teams in the nation.
I wish I could have seen Woody Dantzler play in the offense we run today. 6 would have won the Heisman. Clipboard Jesus was the prototypical pro QB wearing a Tiger Uniform. Watson is the GOAT.
But 16 could be better.
It is just too difficult for me to try to compare guys from the 70s to guys from the 2000s at any position.
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Offensive Star [316]
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Re: It is hard to compare players from different eras.
Jun 18, 2019, 6:32 PM
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I would give Bennie Cunningham the vote as others did. I met him when he was a pro at a QB/wide receiver camp at Furman when I was in high school. Other notables there were Jerry Butler, Perry Tuttle, and David Whitehurst (charlie’s Dad). We have had many good one’s but he was the full package and had a great pro career as well.
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Athletic Dir [1144]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 18, 2019, 6:48 PM
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There have been some really good ones but Cunningham was the best by far in my opinion. Fans who never saw him wouldn't believe just how dominant he was at blocking on run plays. He had great hands, ran great routes, and was incredibly hard to tackle.
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Game Day Hero [4541]
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No one is close to Bennie - GOAT***
Jun 19, 2019, 11:12 AM
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Game Day Hero [4541]
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Re: No one is close to Bennie - GOAT***
Jun 19, 2019, 11:13 AM
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I still remember one game where he carried 4-5 guys about 10 yards
A MONSTER
MAN AMONG BOYS - too bad he died young
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Recruit [76]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 19, 2019, 11:31 AM
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"Cun" (Cunninghan) Do Doubt.
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Offensive Star [316]
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Re: Who is the best TE to play for the Tigers?
Jun 19, 2019, 12:26 PM
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Wikipedia lists him at 6-6 254 lbs! That is big by today’s standards but a man amongst boys back then. I remember being blown away by how thick he was too. Guy was a specimen. On top of that one of the nicest people you could ever meet.
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Replies: 60
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