Rodney Thomas to Start for Tigers Saturday

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Clemson, SC-Clemson defensive coordinator Reggie Herring said

Wednesday after practice that junior linebacker Rodney Thomas would

start at strongside linebacker in place of Braxton K. Williams this

Saturday when the Tigers faced Wofford at Death Valley. It will be

the first start of Thomas's career.

Herring said that Williams, a senior, will serve as the

backup at the strongside position. Chad Carson will remain the

starter at the weakside linebacker position and John Leake will

continue to start at the star safety position.

Herring also said that freshman Leroy Hill would be the

backup to Carson at the weakside linebacker position. He also said

that he was making no commitment to this lineup change past this

week's game. "Rodney Thomas has demonstrated that he is better in

run support and Wofford is a running team," said Herring, who again

will coach the Clemson defense from the pressbox as he recovers from

a torn Achilles tendon injury.

Herring also said that cornerback Kevin Johnson is recovering

from a bruised shoulder but he is not certain if he will start on

Saturday. If he can't red-shirt freshman Ryan Hemby will start in

his place.

CLEMSON DEFENSE DEPTH CHART


Pos.	#	Player        	Hgt.	Wgt.	Cl.


DE	91 	Bryant McNeal	6-5	235	*Jr.


	58	J.J. Howard	6-3	220	*So.


LT	98	Nick Eason	6-4	275	*Gr.


	96	D Washington	6-6	320	*Fr


RT	95	Jovon Bush	6-5	305	*Sr.


	97	DeJuan Polk	6-2	265	*So.


RE	56	Khaleed Vaughan	6-4	260	*So.


	99	Mo Fountain	6-4	235	Fr.


SLB	41	Rodney Thomas	6-0	215	Jr.


        48	B K. Williams	6-2	203	Sr.


WLB	46	Chad Carson	6-3	235	Sr.


        43      Leroy Hill      6-1     215     Fr.


Star	45	John Leake	6-2	210	So.


	38	Eric Sampson	6-3	200	Fr.


SS	40	Charles Hafley	6-1	195	*Sr.


	33	Rony Delusme	6-2	185	*Fr.


FS	25	Marcus Houskin	6-0	200	*So.


	3	Eric Meekins	6-2	190	Jr.


LC	2	Brian Mance	5-11	185	Jr.


	26	Toure Francis	5-10	184	So.


RC	27	Kevin Johnson	6-0	185	*So.


	22	Ryan Hemby	5-10	175	*Fr.


Star - denotes weak safety position

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