Front Porch Football2018 Clemson Season Preview
by Chris and Brendan Paschal
1st – ACC Atlantic
Clemson, SC | Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,500) | 2017 Record: 12-2 (7-1)
Clemson fans and college football fans living in the South knew that this time would come. I knew it would come. Clemson had every ingredient needed to win a ton of games and championships in college football. But from 1991-2010, the Tigers choked away big moments and lost games that left you scratching your head. Those days are over. Clemson always had the fans, stadium, pageantry, and recruiting base to win at a high level. And now they are doing it. Since 2011, the Dabo Swinney-led Clemson Tigers have won 82 games in seven seasons. Maybe even more impressive, the Tigers have made it to the last three College Football Playoffs (winning one of them), have won four of the last seven ACC Titles, and have had numerous players drafted in the NFL Draft. SEC fans can make as many excuses as they want and try and point to a “weak schedule,” but that’s ridiculous and you know it. Clemson is currently one of the elite programs in college football, and that status won’t change in 2018.
Offense
Quarterbacks: This situation is almost identical to Alabama’s. Kelly Bryant (6-4, 220) led the Tigers last season to the College Football Playoff after thrashing rival South Carolina and ACC Coastal Champion Miami to close the season out. But he now seems to be an afterthought. Welcome to the cutthroat business of college football in the South. Why is Bryant an afterthought after passing for over 2,800 yards and rushing for over 650 yards? It’s because of the talent behind him.
Kelly Bryant has the most experience, but is not the most talented QB Clemson has in 2018. Image from Diehards.
Enter into the equation true freshman Trevor Lawrence (6-5, 205). Lawrence doesn’t really look the part yet (afraid the guy might snap in half if he’s hit too hard), but the Georgia product was considered one of the best prospects in the country last year. In fact, according to many recruiting services, Lawrence was the top-ranked prospect in the country last season. After a lackluster performance in the US Army All-American Game, Lawrence put on a show for Tiger fans in Death Valley during this season’s spring game. He has an arm that can make any throw on the field (a breath of fresh air for some of these Tiger receivers), and he has the awareness to get out of the pocket when needed.
If I am Dabo Swinney, and if Lawrence is ready to play, I start him week one against Furman. This is what doesn’t need to happen – Bryant starts the Furman and Texas A&M games but is benched after a lackluster first half against the Aggies. If that happens and Lawrence is thrown into the wolves in front of the 12th Man, I don’t think things go well.
Running Back: Last season, Kirk Herbstreit referred to Clemson’s backfield as “an embarrassment of riches”, and he’s right. It all starts with one of the fastest running backs in college football, Travis Etienne (5-10, 200). Etienne is originally from Louisiana (LSU, c’mon man) but has become quite comfortable in upstate South Carolina, rushing for 766 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He has top-end speed and gets to the second and third level of the defense quicker than a hiccup.
Besides Etienne, Clemson can turn to South Carolina native Tavien Feaster (5-11, 220), who has performed well (669 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns) but has not lived up to his potential. Feaster was considered one of the best players coming out of South Carolina a few years back but has yet to have a big-time season.
Tavien Feaster is another weapon for this Tiger backfield. Image from Getty Images.
Between Feaster and Etienne, this should be one of the nation’s best running back duos. Behind those two are Adam Choice (5-8, 210), who rushed for over 325 yards last season and 6 touchdowns and true freshman Lyn-J Dixon (5-11, 175) who was considered one of the top backs in the country last recruiting cycle.
Wide Receiver: If you thought the running back position was loaded, wait until you see these wide receivers. Ironically though, while this position group is one of the best in the country, only one proven player returns, Hunter Renfrow (5-10, 180). I famously (at least among Clemson friends) coined Renfrow the “Bama Slayer” in last year’s preview, and while he may have not slain the Crimson Tide in last year’s Sugar Bowl, Renfrow still had a great season with 60 receptions for over 600 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The “Bama Slayer” returns. Image from Sporting News.
Besides Renfrow there are a bunch of unproven, but talented, options. First, the guys who have been waiting their turn: junior Cornell Powell (6-0, 205), who hails from Rose High School in Greenville, NC (a true football power in NC), sophomore TJ Chase from Florida, (6-1, 185), Trevion Thompson (6-2, 200) from Durham, NC, and Diondre Overton (6-5, 205) from Greensboro, NC. All four of these guys were highly recruited coming out of high school, but had to wait behind the likes of Deon Cain, Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and Ray-Ray McCloud. Now they have to ward off underclassman if they are to see the field.
Cornell Powell is ready to step into the spotlight. Image from Clemson Athletics.
Clemson has recruited this position better than any other program in the country. In the 2017 recruiting cycle, Clemson was able to haul in a pair of Tennessee natives in Amari Rodgers (5-9, 210) and Tee Higgins (6-4, 200). Both were big-time recruits that flashed their potential last year, especially Higgins.
Tee Higgins had 17 receptions for 345 yards as a true freshman last year. Image from 247 Sports.
In the 2018 recruiting cycle, Dabo and Co. were at it again, stealing Alabama native Justyn Ross (6-4, 205) from the clutches of the Crimson Tide and securing Derion Kendrick (6-1, 190) from Rock Hill, SC, one of the most underrated recruiting hotbeds in the country. All of this to say that whoever wins the quarterback battle will have a plethora of receiving targets to throw to.
Offensive Line: This is a veteran offensive line for the Clemson Tigers. Returning at left tackle is the solid, but not amazing (sorry Tiger fans) Mitch Hyatt (6-5, 305). For whatever reason, some Clemson fans and a few pundits make Hyatt out to be the best offensive tackle in the country, when in all honesty, he is not that. They point to things like the few sacks he gives up and how many games he has started, which are all impressive, but I like to use my eyeballs as a judge. And after watching him play, I think he is a solid college offensive tackle, just somewhat overrated. Nothing wrong with that. Next to him is big John Simpson (6-4, 320) who I think is the best offensive linemen on this roster. Simpson explodes off the line of scrimmage. He might be one of the best guards in the country.
John Simpson (74) has explosive power off the ball. Image from USA Today.
At center is Justin Falcinelli (6-4, 305), who has a very workman-like attitude (had the opportunity to meet him briefly a few years back) and anchors this offensive line. At right guard is junior Sean Pollard (6-5, 315) from Southern Pines, NC; NC State fans still resent him for going to Clemson. At right tackle is the undersized, but quick Tremayne Anchrum (6-2, 290), who got valuable experience as an underclassman. A name to remember is Jackson Carman (6-6, 350) from Ohio. Carman was a monster, five-star recruit in the 2018 class who picked the Tigers over Ohio State.
Defense
Defensive Line: This was considered one of the best defensive lines in the country last season, and every starter from that unit returns in 2018. That sound you just heard was Clemson opponents collectively screaming in horror. These are some big, strong, fast, mean dudes. It all starts inside for the Tigers with defensive tackles Christian Wilkins (6-4, 300) and Dexter Lawrence (6-4, 340). Both will be picked early in the 2019 NFL Draft. Wilkins can run like a deer and is quick off the line of scrimmage. He is a true pass rusher at the defensive tackle position. Lawrence is more of a man-eater. I swear if you put Lawrence on a two-lane highway neither side would be able to pass. Behind those two are South Carolina natives Albert Huggins (6-3, 305) from Orangeburg and Nyles Pinckney (6-1, 300) from Beaufort. Both are capable players in their own right.
Christian Wilkins & Dexter Lawrence are currently the most dynamic DT’s in college football. Image from Post & Courier.
At defensive end, Clemson returns senior Austin Bryant (6-5, 265) and junior Clelin Ferrell (6-5, 260). Bryant finished last season with 15 TFL and 8.5 sacks while being named First Team All-ACC. Ferrell saw Bryant’s performance and said I will raise you an 18 TFL and 9.5 sack season while being named First Team All-American. Needless to say, opposing tackles can’t take a break with either of these two studs.
Clelin Ferrell #99 and Austin Bryant #7 have no problem getting into backfields. Image from Getty Images.
Behind them are a slew of capable backups, but the two I want y’all to keep an eye on are 2018 signees, both of which were five-star players: pass rushing specialist KJ Henry (6-5, 235) and Xavier Thomas (6-3, 255) who will be an excellent pass rusher, but even better in run defense.
Linebacker: Clemson lost one of the most versatile and productive linebackers in the country from last year’s squad in Dorian O’Daniel. But like the rest of this roster, the Tigers return plenty of talent. First, hybrid safety/strong side linebacker Isaiah Simmons (6-3, 225) returns for what should be another strong campaign. Simmons is fast, physical, and big enough to anchor the middle of a defense. Kendall Joseph (6-0, 225) also returns after playing weakside most of last season. However, with Tre Lamar (6-4, 250) recovering from injury, Joseph may be moved inside. Joseph is versatile enough to play most positions at the second level.
Kendall Joseph is athletic enough to play almost any position. Image from USA Today.
Besides Simmons and Joseph, Clemson will look to the Davises and the Smiths. Shaq Smith (6-2, 245) comes in after being used sparingly last season (but in that limited time, he proved he is a thumper). Chad Smith (6-4, 235) is another talented, big linebacker who has mostly seen the field in a special teams’ capacity. JD Davis (6-2, 225) returns after posting some solid numbers last season (55 tackles, 4.5 TFL). JD Davis may be the most experienced linebacker returning not named Lamar or Joseph. His brother Judah Davis (6-2, 235) didn’t see the field much last season, but could play a bigger role in the middle this year. Other names to keep an eye out for are James Skalski (6-0, 240), who has been impressing Tiger fans and coaches, and Jalen Williams (5-10, 210), who is undersized, but gritty and fast.
JD Davis looks to play even more after 2017. Image from TigerNet.
Defensive Backs: For as strong as the front seven is, Clemson’s secondary is somewhat thin. The biggest loss at corner was Ryan Carter, who played in all 15 games in 2017 and started in 13 of them. Trayvon Mullen (6-2, 185) looks to be the star for Clemson’s defensive backs after coming off the bench in 2017. The Tigers need sophomore A.J. Terrell (6-2, 180) to live up to his five-star potential, and senior Mark Fields (5-10, 180) to play with composure.
Trayvon Mullen could be the star in this secondary. Image from USA Today.
