Clemson snaps report: Young Tigers gain experience

Travis Etienne (9) was among seven scholarship true freshmen to see action.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Wed Sep 06 16:48:20 GMT-04:00 2017

Clemson football played 91 Tigers in the opener versus Kent State, giving the starters a taste of game-action but nothing too taxing in a 56-3 win.

This week’s snap counts will look dramatically from the Clemson-Auburn showdown this weekend, but the game provided some key game film to evaluate for some younger players.

Noting week one from the Clemson participation report (see full list below):

* Junior quarterback Kelly Bryant saw the most snaps of any Tigers (48) en route to a school total-offense record in an opener (313 yards). True freshman and five-star prospect Hunter Johnson came into the game third behind redshirt freshman Zerrick Cooper, but ended up playing a few more snaps (20 versus 14).

* Running back starter C.J. Fuller scored twice in a unit-leading 24 plays, followed by freshman Travis Etienne (15), junior Adam Choice (12) and sophomore Tavien Feaster (11).

* Clemson’s co-offensive coordinators have praised the depth in the receiver corps, and the snaps were pretty even in the opener. No scholarship Tiger receiver topped 30 snaps (Ray Ray McCloud leading, 27) and the fewest plays were 19 (Cornell Powell, who caught his first career touchdown).

* Tight end Milan Richard’s first start was a strong showcase for what he can do this season (35 snaps), totaling 70 yards on two catches.

* Clemson’s starting five offensive linemen all saw 30-plus snaps, as well as sophomore tackle Sean Pollard (33) and redshirt freshman lineman Cade Stewart (36).

* Three freshmen got a look at defensive end in Logan Rudolph (10 snaps, 2 tackles, TFL), Xavier Kelly (10 snaps) and Justin Foster (9 snaps, 1 tackle).

* Dexter Lawrence, who is playing after offseason toe surgery, led Clemson’s defensive tackles with 23 snaps.

* Kendall Joseph picked up from where he left off last season with a team-best eight tackles (one TFL) in only 25 snaps. Sophomore Chad Smith logged three solo tackles in 13 snaps and two more on special teams.

* Due to an early Van Smith injury (sprained knee), K’Von Wallace led the Tiger DBs with 31 snaps, followed by starting safety Tanner Muse (28). Sophomore cornerback Trayvon Mullen played his most snaps (22) since Nov. 5 against Syracuse last season (29), leading all Tiger corners.

* In all, half of the 2017 scholarship freshmen class played (Etienne, Foster, Rudolph, Johnson, CB A.J. Terrell, WR Amari Rodgers, WR Tee Higgins).

Tracking Clemson's snaps against Kent State:

(Noted: Snaps are tracked for depth-chart contributors and select scholarship athletes. Players are listed at their positions by the week’s depth chart. The participation report is provided by Clemson.)

Offense (32)

Quarterback (3): Kelly Bryant 48, Hunter Johnson 20, Zerrick Cooper 14.

Running Back (4): C.J. Fuller 24, Travis Etienne 15, Adam Choice 12, Tavien Feaster 11.

Wide Receiver (9): Ray Ray McCloud 27, Amari Rodgers 26, T.J. Chase 26, Tee Higgins 25, Hunter Renfrow 24, Diondre Overton 24, Deon Cain 23, Trevion Thompson 21, Cornell Powell 19.

Tight End (5): Milan Richard 35, Cannon Smith 14, J.C. Chalk 14, D.J. Greenlee 12, Shadell Bell 8.

Offensive Line (11): Tyrone Crowder 37, Mitch Hyatt 37, Taylor Hearn 37, Cade Stewart 36, Tremayne Anchrum 35, Sean Pollard 33, John Simpson 26, Maverick Morris 22, Chandler Reeves 21, Gage Cervenka 16.

Defense (31)

Defensive End (6): Austin Bryant 27, Clelin Ferrell 26, Chris Register 14, Logan Rudolph 10, Xavier Kelly 10, Justin Foster 9.

Defensive Tackle (5): Dexter Lawrence 23, Christian Wilkins 21, Sterling Johnson 18, Nyles Pinckney 13, Albert Huggins 13.

Linebackers (9): Kendall Joseph 25, Jalen Williams 24, Tre Lamar 22, Dorian O’Daniel 22, James Skalski 13, Chad Smith 13, J.D. Davis 12, Shaq Smith 8, Judah Davis 5.

DB (CB/S/NB - 11): K’Von Wallace 31, Tanner Muse 28, Trayvon Mullen 22, A.J. Terrell 21, Isaiah Simmons 21, Amir Trapp 17, Ryan Carter 15, Marcus Edmond 13, Mark Fields 10, Van Smith 9**, Nolan Turner 9.

Did not play (2): DT Jabril Robinson*, S Denzel Johnson**.

Can still redshirt (7): CB LeAnthony Williams, OG Matt Bockhorst, OT Blake Vinson, QB Chase Brice, OT Noah DeHond, LB Baylon Spector, DE Jordan Williams.

*Suspended for at least one game.

**Injured pregame or in-game.