Secondary Depth Getting Even Younger

True freshman Travis Pugh has moved into the No. 2 slot behind safety Eric Meekins.

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Mon Oct 22 20:24:56 GMT-04:00 2001

CLEMSON - With his young secondary routinely getting torched and showing little signs of improvement six games into the season, Clemson defensive coordinator Reggie Herring is doing the only thing he can.

He's making the depth chart even younger.

True freshman Travis Pugh has moved into the No. 2 slot behind safety Eric Meekins, replacing senior Braxton K. Williams. Williams has been relegated to the third spot at the position, and will get most of his playing time on special teams.

Another true freshman, Tavaughn Monts, has been moved into the No. 2 spot behind Charles Hafley at the other safety. Redshirt freshman Ronnie Delusame also is listed as No. 2 at that position, but Monts will be given the opportunity to win the spot in practice this week.

"I want to make it clear that we're not giving up and getting ready for Georgia (the 2002 opener)," Herring said. "But we've made some moves to try and stimulate competition, or hopefully find some answers. When (Eric) Meekins or (Charles) Hafley (safeties) go out, we're really shaky.

"The guys behind them have had half a season to show something. Now it's time to go with someone else."

Tavaughn Monts is now behind Hafley.

Meanwhile, Kevin Johnson's starting cornerback spot has been opened up again, with redshirt freshman Ryan Hemby getting to opportunity to win the starting spot. And redshirt freshman Donnell Washington already is being considered a co-starter at defensive tackle with incumbents Jovon Bush and Nick Eason.

Toure Francis, the former walk-on who started against UNC in place of Brian Mance, is back in the No. 2 spot behind Mance.

"We were making strides, and I thought last week's practice (before UNC) was the best week we've had this year," Herring said. "But we're lacking playmakers right now. I told the front seven they're going to have to carry the load until we find some answers in the secondary."

In other Monday events, head coach Tommy Bowden said freshman receiver Roscoe Crosby, who saw 20-plus plays in his return to the field after his knee injury, will see "significantly more" playing time Saturday at Wake Forest.

The starting wide receivers will remain the same: J.J. McKelvey (X), Jackie Robinson (Y), Airese Currie (H) and Derrick Hamilton (H).

ACC STANDINGS

Conference Points Overall Points

Team W L T For Opp Pct W L T For Opp Pct

---- - - - --- --- --- - - - --- --- ---

Maryland............ 5 0 0 170 82 1.000 7 0 0 252 105 1.000

North Carolina...... 4 1 0 133 68 .800 5 3 0 198 174 .625

Florida State....... 3 1 0 155 85 .750 4 2 0 211 141 .667

Georgia Tech........ 2 2 0 125 94 .500 5 2 0 243 115 .714

Clemson............. 2 2 0 119 145 .500 4 2 0 178 172 .667

Virginia............ 2 3 0 109 148 .400 3 4 0 143 190 .429

Wake Forest......... 1 3 0 100 127 .250 3 3 0 141 156 .500