Dabo recaps spring practice, depth chart

Eric Mac Lain has made strides at left tackle, and Swinney says the former tight end can play either guard or tackle

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Apr 25 12:59:06 GMT-04:00 2013

CLEMSON – Clemson released the post spring depth chart Thursday morning, and head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile said what we all already knew.

“As far as this depth chart, it is just what is on paper,” Swinney said during a media session in the WestZone. “It really doesn’t mean anything.”

Swinney did say that he thought his team, which faces a mountain of expectations this season, had a good spring.

“I thought we had a good spring, but it could be a great spring if we take what we learned this spring and make it better this summer,” he said. “They all have specific things we’ve asked them to do, like add size or flexibility. If they do all the things we’ve asked them to do, then it can be a great spring.”

There were a few surprises on the offensive line – Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile was listed as the starter at left tackle, with converted tight end Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS So. Tight End
#88 6-4, 260
Hope Mills, NC
View Full Profile listed as his backup and the talented Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
So. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
St. George, VA
View Full Profile listed as third team. However, Swinney said the coaches are okay with an unsettled depth chart on the offensive line.

“The way we came out of spring was that we are still trying to find our best five,” he said. “But I am okay with that because we have a lot of competition. We didn’t have that last spring. Last spring, we had a lot of dropoff. We had some guys that I felt like weren’t ready coming out of the spring that we could get them ready. This time it is more competitive, and I think that will carry over into the summer. At least I hope it does.”

Swinney said the competition at the left tackle spot will continue well into fall camp..

“Eric had an excellent spring. He isn’t quite there, and he hasn’t really made the transition. But he can be special,” he said. “I think he will be able to play either tackle or either guard. I am really excited. Battle, we want it for him and it is all there, but he has to do it. But he isn’t quite there yet. I am patient. He is coming. Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile – last spring I couldn’t get anybody in the room to give him a thumbs up and now he is the best player we have. But he [Battle] has to make that commitment. I can’t make it for him. He has to have a great summer in the weight room and has a lot of things he needs to improve upon. Sometimes guys don't come as soon as you want them. You've just got to keep coaching them, keep pushing them."

At the tight end spot, projected starter Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Jr. Tight End
#86 6-5, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile suffered an ACL injury during the spring game and will have surgery on May 3rd. As a result, Stanton SeckingerStanton Seckinger
RS Jr. Tight End
#81 6-4, 210
Isle of Palms, SC
View Full Profile is No. 1, Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Fr. Tight End
#16 6-6, 235
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile is 2 and Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS Fr. Tight End
#89 6-3, 230
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile is the third team tight end.

"They're very talented. They can all run and catch,” Swinney said. “The big thing you lose with Coop, he's a fourth-year vet. He's crafty. He's figured it out. He knows how to get it done. He's our thumper at the point of attack. He's been in the battles. He's battle tested -we're losing that experience factor from that position. I think we have good pieces there, we just lose the experience. We're probably going to have to ask a little bit more about Darrell [Smith], who is as good a leader and player as we have on this team.”

Swinney said that Seckinger is at 210 right now, but hopes he'll come back in the 225-230 range. Leggett is 235 right now and Dabo hopes he'll come back at 240-245.

On Jordan Leggett

“Leggett just caught on, and he was probably the surprise of the spring for me with how quickly he caught on. We ask our tight ends to do a lot of things. It’s really uncanny to see a freshman grasp it the way he did. He is a big old boy and I think he will come in here at 240-plus.”

On the running backs

"I feel good about the development of our running backs. I'm excited about some new pieces coming to join us. I like the talent that we have at tight end. I love the talent that we have at wideout."

On the linebackers

"I feel good about our linebacker situation. I'm concerned at secondary. That's my biggest concern, just because that's a major area, a major problem, from a depth standpoint. That's fixing to change, drastically."

On Vic Beasley

"He's actually becoming a little bit of a leader, which is something I thought I would never say."

On Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
So. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-5, 280
Greer, SC
View Full Profile

"Nobody asked me about Dodd. After this season, everybody is going to be asking me about Dodd. Kevin Dodd is going to be an outstanding player. I'm really, really proud of him and his development after one year."