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TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice
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TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 8:01 AM

 
The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice

Most freshmen running backs don’t look the part. Not right away. There is weight to be gained, muscles to be sculpted and shoulders to be broadened. Not Phil Mafah and Will Shipley. They looked the part the second they stepped on campus. Full Story »


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Good read David! Looking for great things from these two !


Mar 17, 2021, 8:17 AM

Go Tigers!!

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Sounds to me like they are coming for Lyn-J's job, and Lyn-J


Mar 17, 2021, 8:19 AM

KNOWS they are serious about taking his job.

The running back position is in good hands. If Clemson has a problem this year, it won't be that group. Here's hoping we have that kind of competition on the O and D-Line. The two lines are where we must improve to take it to the Natty House this year.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 8:23 AM

I hope this gent can make it to Tigertown for a visit!

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 5:54 PM

Who? Link?

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 8:30 AM

Hope Dixon has a monster year, but I also expect these freshmen to be great now - not a couple years from now.

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WL


Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 9:31 AM

Clearly code language for "I know I better be everything I was billed to be....or I'm in trouble fast"

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 8:33 AM

If we are going to contend for a Playoff spot, the Freshmen backs have to be on the field.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 8:34 AM

"in a couple years", Lol

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 9:17 AM

I LOL'd that comment, too. I hope Lyn-J has a stellar year, but I will not be at all surprised if these new guys don't do just what Trevor did in taking over the QB spot early from the "anointed" one. Great news is, Dabo is not afraid to make the hard choice to play the best guy, even if the guy is a freshman.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 12:23 PM

I think fans are jumping the gun on these freshmen RBs.

Year after year it seems that the players are the most honest when talking about the newcomers to the team.

You will hear things like "once they figure it out...", "They have all the talent they need", "he really showed his stuff on a couple of plays" and other similar statements.

The veteran players know there is a lot more to the college game than being strong and fast.

Lyn J may be off in saying a couple of years (hopefully), but what he is saying is that while they are super talented they still have a lot to learn to be where the Clemson program expects them to be.

I think the best example of this is Bresee from last year. Nothing but praise was heaped on him by everyone on the coaching staff. Players said things like "he is all over the place" and referred to him as a "bull in a china shop" type player. We saw that he was incredibly talented throughout the year, but he struggled at times with veteran OL because of his technique.

After the season we finally heard coaches saying things like "another offseason of learning and we hope he will put it all together to truly be dominant".

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 2:05 PM

To be fair to Bresee, he struggled a lot while being blatantly held too. Happened a LOT.




Message was edited by: TigerJS®


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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 5:06 PM

Yeppers, and that is also true of a 3 year starter!!!

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Bresee and Murphy didn't struggle last year


Mar 17, 2021, 2:33 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice ]

Bresee was injured part of the time and even missed games, which slowed him down and Murphy was double-teamed on nearly every play after the first two games. Bresee was doubled up a lot also, especially when Tyler was injured. Yet both guys were stellar and were our best two linemen after Tyler.

Now think about this: At the college level, it's easier to be an impact freshman at RB than D-line. But we all know Coach Elliott puts a lot of emphasis on fundamentals and these two freshman must pass block if they want more than garbage time.

We'll see. I believe we need more dynamic play from the backfield than LJD offers.

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Re: Bresee and Murphy didn't struggle last year


Mar 17, 2021, 2:39 PM

And this is even more emphasized in the fact that Elliott is no longer the RB's coach. Thats all Spiller. He will be the one who chooses who goes out on the field now.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 5:04 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice ]

That is a half empty glass opinion, or a way of thinking!!!

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 6:24 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice ]

TigersO said:

I think fans are jumping the gun on these freshmen RBs.

Year after year it seems that the players are the most honest when talking about the newcomers to the team.

You will hear things like "once they figure it out...", "They have all the talent they need", "he really showed his stuff on a couple of plays" and other similar statements.

The veteran players know there is a lot more to the college game than being strong and fast.

Lyn J may be off in saying a couple of years (hopefully), but what he is saying is that while they are super talented they still have a lot to learn to be where the Clemson program expects them to be.

I think the best example of this is Bresee from last year. Nothing but praise was heaped on him by everyone on the coaching staff. Players said things like "he is all over the place" and referred to him as a "bull in a china shop" type player. We saw that he was incredibly talented throughout the year, but he struggled at times with veteran OL because of his technique.

After the season we finally heard coaches saying things like "another offseason of learning and we hope he will put it all together to truly be dominant".



The best example is our RB coach Cj spiller. His freshman year, he no doubt showed flashes of brilliance, but he still had a ton to learn. He didn’t run between the tackles very well his freshman year.

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Bresee was 1st Team All-ACC (136 votes)


Mar 17, 2021, 9:56 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice ]

Skalski (76) and Turner (115) were 2nd team. So are you stating that even though Bresee in your words "struggled at times", he was still our best defender and our vets struggled even more?

And I'm not stating the All-ACC team is some bell weather of merit, but Bresee far surpasses our 5th year soon to be 6th year starters. I seriously hope these 2 freshmen backs put Dixon and all the RB vets on the bench early in the season, and I see no reason why it won't happen. It's standard operating procedure with the CJ's, Sammy's, DW4's, TL16's, ETN's, Bresee's, M. Murphy's and other program greats who are ready early.

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Phil and Will..


Mar 17, 2021, 9:32 AM

Like the name of that tandem!!!

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 10:02 AM

If we can develop the young o-line for these two beasts to run behind along with DJ run/throw threat we could be looking at multiple nattys. The future looks bright. Go Tigers!

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 12:23 PM

Dixon is speaking form experience, RBs have to learn how to pass protect to get significant early playing time. We have a great running back room, keep them coming.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 1:17 PM

I see some of you guys mentioning Lyn-J's comments about the two freshman RB's, and I want to say that there is some truth in both his words and the sentiment that these guys are going to be pretty good a lot sooner than expected. I know the idea of "RB's take a while to acclimate to Clemson's system", but as Dabo has stated, these kids have played in similar systems in their respective high schools. This is why Uiagalelei has transitioned so well so quickly, as he played in a similar system out at Bosco. Guys like Gallman, Feaster and Etienne didnt acclimate as quickly because they played in a totally different offense (Wing T for Etienne), and they were being asked to do more than just run or catch the ball. Speaking of Etienne...remember how he essentially flashed greatness in year 1 and by year 2 he was THE main priority at RB? Sometimes, talent takes over. I'd argue it was harder for Trevor to overtake Kelly than it could potentially be for Shipley/Mafah, or even Pace/Mellusi to take over. QB is the toughest position in the entire sport, so we'll see! They're going to take their lumps early on, but their talent and prerequisite system knowledge will help them immensely. Most notably getting up to speed of the game in P5 FBS ball, and the verbiage from Elliott.

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Gotta disagree with you on Trevor


Mar 17, 2021, 2:43 PM

I think we all know Dabo was like everyone else and wanted Trevor to outplay KB and seize the starting job. He had to earn it. It wasn't handed to him. I knew from watching KB's very jittery spring game performance that year (and some of Trevor's unreal throws) that he felt the pressure and it weighed on him, which would make the decision fairly easy for Dabo. (For the record, I remember the A&M game).

I agree with your points on the RBs. Sometimes talent takes over and LJD's lack of explosiveness and power leaves the door wide open for Shipley and Mafah.

Normally, I would say give it a few games. But since game 1 is against UGA, I look for a shorter leash on LJD if he's not getting the job done.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 4:24 PM

I hope that CJ has been working with them to make sure that they have the pass blocking schemes down pat. That is a definite need for consistent playing time early.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 5:47 PM

Does it matter how good our backs looking practice if the o-line blocks like it did last season

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O-line will be better this year


Mar 17, 2021, 9:38 PM

I don't think there is much question about that.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 17, 2021, 9:48 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice ]

Maybe it's because I'm a former OL from many years ago, but just how difficult is it for a RB to learn to block? We hear about runners being held back for a year because they can't pass block. Makes me shake my head.

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Re: TNET: The Naturals: Freshmen running backs turning heads early in practice


Mar 19, 2021, 9:03 AM

Not so much "how" as it is "who" along a 20' disguised line.

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