Watkins says Bellamy not going anywhere

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Oct 18 13:48:38 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – The man who is closest to freshman running back Mike Bellamy Mike Bellamy
Fr. Running Back
#5 5-10, 175
Nocatee, FL
View Full Profile says Clemson fans shouldn’t worry about the mercurial freshman from Florida.

Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-1, 200
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile , the freshman wide receiver who has taken the country by storm, is Bellamy’s roommate, and he said Tuesday that Bellamy is going to be fine.

“He was at practice Monday, just like he is at every practice,” Watkins said. “He works hard at every practice. He is learning the offense and getting better every week.”

Watkins said that the rumors surrounding Bellamy leaving the program are completely false.

“I have never, ever heard that from him,” he said. “We talk a lot, and he has never said that. That is the last thing on his mind. He is ready to play, and he doesn’t want to sit on the bench. When you come in, you want to contribute and you want to help the team.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Bellamy just needs to mature.

“I think there's a lot of structure here. A lot of discipline here," Swinney said. "No gray area. Sometimes that's difficult for young people to take on when your maturity isn't where it needs to be. That's part of the process. He's a good young man. And that's what this program is about - coaching life. It's not just coaching ball. When it's all said and done, if he'll stick with it, he'll leave better than he is right now. He's not there yet. He's kind of your typical freshman. The transition not as easy as some for others. He's a young player that wants to play more. Nothing wrong with that. I want guys who want to play more, but you have to earn it. He's really not a problem. We had a little deal the last week where we sat him down the first half.”

Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Jr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 190
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile is the starter at running back, and Bellamy is currently splitting snaps as Ellington’s backup with D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Fr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile , and Watkins said his roommate just has to learn what his role is.

“He is a great guy, he just has to get used to his role,” Watkins said. “Of course, Andre Ellington is there. Mike was always the big star in his high school, and maybe he can't get used to his role. He keeps bringing it up, and I keep saying the same thing. It just takes time. He also sees his friend [Watkins] doing it, and he wants to do the same thing.”