CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Spring Practice: Five burning questions for the offense
Isaiah Battle has the first chance to win the job at left tackle

Spring Practice: Five burning questions for the offense


by - Senior Writer -

Your patience has been rewarded college football fans. Spring practice starts next week at Clemson.

The Tigers return a ton of experience all over the field - especially on defense – but there are a lot of questions that will begin to be answered this spring. In fact, there may be more questions about the Clemson offense than at any time over the last three or four seasons.

Think about it – the big, burning questions over the past few springs have really centered on the defense – new coordinator, finding linebackers, finding enough live bodies to play in the secondary, finding someone who could rush the quarterback.

Meanwhile, the offense has had a few question marks, offensive line being chief among them, but there have been known quantities at the skill positions. This year, that all changes, and this spring will be spent trying to replace the majority of the offensive yards from last season. Gone are Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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, Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

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, Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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and Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
Running Back (2009 - 2013)
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC

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.

Who will step up? Will we really even know any more after the spring, or will most of this have to shake out in August?

With that in mind, we take a look at five burning questions for the offense this spring.

Who will jump out at quarterback?

The media meets with head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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next Monday to preview the spring, and one of the first questions will be if Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH

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enters the spring with the nod over Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY

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and Deshaun Watson, or if all three enter the spring even on the depth chart. My guess is that while the spring may separate one of the quarterbacks from the other two, the coaches will force the competition to last deep into August and maybe even into the season.

Stoudt has played in 22 games during the first three years of his Clemson career, logging almost 300 snaps (287). This past season, Stoudt played 116 snaps and was an amazing 47-for-59 for 415 yards and five touchdowns. Kelly played 55 snaps last season, completing 10-of-17 passes for 58 yards. He also carried the ball 16 times for 117 yards, and his highlight film play was his long touchdown run at Virginia.

The wild card is Watson - can the talented freshman do enough to make the coaches keep him in the hunt once August begins? The scrimmages this spring mean more than they have since Boyd replaced Kyle ParkerKyle Parker
Quarterback (2008 - 2010)
#11 6-1, 200
Jacksonville, FL

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.

What will happen at running back?

Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR

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might seem like the obvious choice to take over for McDowell – he had 26 carries for 119 yards last season, an average of 4.6 yards per carry. But he has battled the injury bug throughout his career, and questions remain if he can be an every down back.

Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA

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was expected to be that rugged, physical back, but a torn Achilles ended his spring before it even started, and he likely won’t be ready before August.

That leaves Brooks to battle it out with D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL

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(57 carries for 213 yards), C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC

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(34 carries for 155 yards), Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS So. Tight End
#89 6-3, 230
Fort Mill, SC

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(who might be more of a blocker, but carried the ball six times for 43 yards) and Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA

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.

Gallman just might be the one to watch – he has the size and competitive fire you need at this level. He red-shirted last season, but was one of the stars of bowl practice. He has added weight and strength, and he looks the part of a big-time running back and could be one of those guys that surprises everybody and winds up being the starter. As a senior at Grayson (GA), he had 516 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, but showed his physical nature on the defensive side of the ball – he had 46 tackles and seven sacks out of the linebacker spot.

Who replaces Sammy and Martavis?

The quick answer is that it won’t be one receiver, but that the group of talented youngsters on campus together can come close to replacing the production lost to the NFL. The good news is that freshmen Demarre Kitt, Artavis Scott and Kyrin PriesterKyrin Priester
Fr. Wide Receiver
#80 6-2, 190
Lilburn, GA

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are already on campus,, and they have all spring to impress the coaches, learn the play book and gain chemistry with the quarterbacks.

Returning are Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC

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(coming off an ACL tear and will be limited this spring), Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC

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, Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC

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, Germone HopperGermone Hopper
RS So. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC

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and T.J. GreenT.J. Green
So. Athlete
#82 6-2, 189
Sylacauga, AL

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. Williams, Hopper and Green all received playing time last season, but all need to become more consistent. Can they hold off the new guys? These battles will be fun to watch.

What happens on the offensive line?

Gone are Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
Offensive Line (2009 - 2013)
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC

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and Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley
Offensive Guard (2009 - 2013)
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC

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, arguably the two best linemen from last season. Replacing them won’t be easy, but there are players that can step up.

Replacing Thomas at the left tackle spot will be Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
Brooklyn, NY

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, who was moved to right tackle at the end of last season and was good, but not great against Ohio St. in the Orange Bowl.

Replacing Shatley? That’s anybody’s guess right now, but the coaches have said they intend to get their five best players on the field, and that might mean that center Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Simpsonville, SC

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or backup center Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-2, 290
Maryville, TN

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could move to guard. David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA

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started seven games at left guard last season, but Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 330
Chester, SC

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was getting the majority of the snaps there at season’s end. Could Beasley move to right guard, effectively giving the Tigers four returning starters on the line?

Another option is Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS Fr. Offensive Line
#55 6-2, 325
Marston, NC

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, who lost weight while red-shirting last season and was impressive during bowl practices. Can he make enough of a move to challenge for that right guard spot?

Right tackle is another question mark – Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC

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received a lot of snaps there last season after Giff Timothy announced his retirement, but was replaced by Battle at season’s end. He will battle Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-4, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC

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and Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#78 6-3, 260
Hope Mills, NC

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at that spot.

Adding to the intrigue are veterans like Reid WebsterReid Webster
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#77 6-4, 285
Woodstock, GA

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, Spencer RegionSpencer Region
RS Jr. Offensive Guard
#74 64, 350
Cullman, AL

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and Oliver JonesOliver Jones
RS So. Offensive Tackle
#65 6-5, 325
Ninety Six, SC

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, who will add their numbers into the mix all across the line. Who will be the best five? Spring practice might go a long way toward determining that question.

Will the Tigers be more of a running team?

I found it interesting that offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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recently spent time with his good friend Gus Malzahn down at Auburn. Malzahn’s offense last season – at least to me – was a thing of beauty. Auburn finished first nationally in rushing yardage, averaging 328 yards per game on the ground. Yes, they finished ahead of traditional ground-pounders Georgia Tech, Army and Navy.

Morris has said since his arrival at Clemson that he wants more of a smash-mouth spread, but with playmakers like Nuk Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd at his disposal, throwing the ball was the first option.

With a young offensive line, a new quarterback and a lot of new backs, this might be the time he changes from a throw-first offense to a run-first offense. Will we see that this spring?

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Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 33) Author
spacer New Story: Spring Practice: Five burning questions for the offense
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: New Story: Spring Practice: Five burning questions for the offense
74TIGER
spacer Howard has 57 carries for 2013 yards?
tmitchell27®
spacer Re: Howard has 57 carries for 2013 yards?
74TIGER
spacer Re: Howard has 57 carries for 2013 yards?
tigertomw
spacer JJ McCullough
Prime T. Tiger
spacer We need his strength at TE more.
NortherTiger
spacer Three good tight ends - do not need him there.
tigeron®
spacer RB is a huge problem with Dye out, any true freshman?
Battery505
spacer Not really
camcgee®
spacer Re: Not really
Clemsonhitter®
spacer Didn't Gallman pick up some heft ?
NortherTiger
spacer Who is the guy on the team
sam84
spacer I thought TJ Green was being moved
ih8it4u
spacer Scott and Hopper are the fastest
Drobins
spacer Re: Scott and Hopper are the fastest
LennMcCartJr
spacer I see Priester as more of a Jaron Brown clone but faster
Drobins
spacer Thought I remembered a stat on Charone Peake
CUatDeathValley
spacer I totally forgot about Spencer Region***
BentZero
spacer I've heard he's lost a lot of weight.
Drobins
spacer Lets Make It Interesting ----
Xander5000
spacer Morris on Gallman about 2 weeks ago:
NortherTiger
spacer Re: Morris on Gallman about 2 weeks ago:
lhaselden
spacer I think coaches see the TE needs as bigger
NortherTiger
spacer Agree, keep McCollough at Tailback/fullback -***
tigeron®
spacer The OL isn't young anymore, it will likely be 2sr and 3jr
truetiger1998
spacer Re: The OL isn't young anymore, it will likely be 2sr and 3jr
lhaselden
spacer Re: The OL isn't young anymore, it will likely be 2sr and 3jr
catbird1776
spacer and there are returning recievers who like Cole's touch!***
tigeron®
spacer Stoudt....is that you?
Tall_Tiger_Two
spacer Every yr EXACTLY 5 "burning questions". No improvement! :-)***
Razzmatazz
spacer Every post NEGATIVE "punking"... Expected!***
SOLOS®
spacer Re: Every post NEGATIVE "punking"... Expected!***
Tigerluvr
spacer How about Spring fb NOW!***
tigeron®