If you’re looking for a dark horse national title contender, look no further. With by far the most talented team in one of the weakest BCS leagues, there is no excuse for Tommy Bowden and the Tigers not to win the ACC and rack up double-digit victories in 2008. They should be favored in every game, so barring the usual let-down, Clemson might be able to sneak their way into the National Title game.
OFFENSE
It all starts in the backfield where the best running back duo in the nation resides. Over the last couple seasons James Davis and C.J. Spiller have proven there isn’t anything they can’t do. Spiller is the gamebreaker with excellent speed and hands, while Davis is the hard-nosed runner with great burst and surprising speed in the open field. Davis in particular has the chance to have a Rashard Mendenhall-type breakout season. I feel they are very similar backs, but Davis has a little bit better speed.
Quarterback Cullen Harper returns for his senior season as well. The veteran stepped into the starting lineup last year and upgraded the competency of the quarterback spot. He even made a handful of clutch throws last year they haven’t seen in a few years at Clemson. With another year of experience, Harper should only improve. He also benefits from the return of wide receiver Aaron Kelly. Kelly is a 6-foot-5 target who became Harper’s go-to receiver in ’07 (88 receptions for 1,081 yards, 11 tds) and is one of the best in the ACC.
With all that skill position talent, the pressure is on the offensive line to improve on last year’s dismal showing. Only one starter returns (center Thomas Austin), but that might not be a bad thing after giving up 35 sacks and only paving the way for 4.1 yards per carry in the running game. If the new group can show even slight improvement, this offense will get more production from its playmakers and solidify the Tigers’ rank as the best in the ACC.
DEFENSE
The Clemson defense never ceased to impress me over the course of the 2007 season. The defensive line was one of the most disruptive and athletic in the nation; the linebackers were fast and made plays all over the field; and the secondary had some big hitters that can intimidate by just walking on the field. With 7 returning starters and an influx of even more talent through a top recruiting class, there is no reason for this unit not to be one of the best in America.
Up front is where the action is. Phillip Merling took his services to the NFL, but there is no shortage of talent here. Dorrell Scott is one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the nation, and he teams with Rashaad Jackson and Jamie Cumbie to form a stout DT rotation. To replace Merling’s pass rushing abilities, Bowden went out and inked the top defensive end in high school, DaQuan Bowers. The true freshman enrolled early for spring practices and has already flashed the skills to be a top pass rush threat. Kevin Alexander is making it difficult for Bowers to break into the starting lineup though. On the other end, Ricky Sapp is a long and lean menace who will no longer be overshadowed by Merling. He’s only a junior, so he should be more consistent in ‘08.
Safety Michael Hamlin brings the lumber in the secondary. He displayed his nose for the football by finishing second on the team with 97 tackles and picking off 4 passes in ’07. The rest of the secondary that finished in the top 15 nationally in pass efficiency defense returns in tact, so there shouldn’t be any problem shutting down the generally weak ACC passing games.
If anything is going to hold this defense back it is going to be the instability at linebacker. Leading tackler Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie exhausted their eligibility, and Cortney Vincent was kicked off the team over the summer. Additionally, the talented Antonio Clay is injured and might never see the football field again. Those four made up a fantastic group a year ago, so all three spots will need to be filled. Scotty Cooper started two games as a freshman a year ago and he has the best athleticism to pick up the slack.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The linebackers. Watkins, Billie, and Vincent made up a fine trio, and replacing them won’t be easy. How well the new crop plays will go a long way toward keeping the defense among the top 10-15 in the nation.
RISING STAR
Defensive end DaQuan Bowers. The blue chip true freshman was enrolled for spring practice, and already looks like he’ll secure a starting spot.
OFFENSE
It all starts in the backfield where the best running back duo in the nation resides. Over the last couple seasons James Davis and C.J. Spiller have proven there isn’t anything they can’t do. Spiller is the gamebreaker with excellent speed and hands, while Davis is the hard-nosed runner with great burst and surprising speed in the open field. Davis in particular has the chance to have a Rashard Mendenhall-type breakout season. I feel they are very similar backs, but Davis has a little bit better speed.
Quarterback Cullen Harper returns for his senior season as well. The veteran stepped into the starting lineup last year and upgraded the competency of the quarterback spot. He even made a handful of clutch throws last year they haven’t seen in a few years at Clemson. With another year of experience, Harper should only improve. He also benefits from the return of wide receiver Aaron Kelly. Kelly is a 6-foot-5 target who became Harper’s go-to receiver in ’07 (88 receptions for 1,081 yards, 11 tds) and is one of the best in the ACC.
With all that skill position talent, the pressure is on the offensive line to improve on last year’s dismal showing. Only one starter returns (center Thomas Austin), but that might not be a bad thing after giving up 35 sacks and only paving the way for 4.1 yards per carry in the running game. If the new group can show even slight improvement, this offense will get more production from its playmakers and solidify the Tigers’ rank as the best in the ACC.
DEFENSE
The Clemson defense never ceased to impress me over the course of the 2007 season. The defensive line was one of the most disruptive and athletic in the nation; the linebackers were fast and made plays all over the field; and the secondary had some big hitters that can intimidate by just walking on the field. With 7 returning starters and an influx of even more talent through a top recruiting class, there is no reason for this unit not to be one of the best in America.
Up front is where the action is. Phillip Merling took his services to the NFL, but there is no shortage of talent here. Dorrell Scott is one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the nation, and he teams with Rashaad Jackson and Jamie Cumbie to form a stout DT rotation. To replace Merling’s pass rushing abilities, Bowden went out and inked the top defensive end in high school, DaQuan Bowers. The true freshman enrolled early for spring practices and has already flashed the skills to be a top pass rush threat. Kevin Alexander is making it difficult for Bowers to break into the starting lineup though. On the other end, Ricky Sapp is a long and lean menace who will no longer be overshadowed by Merling. He’s only a junior, so he should be more consistent in ‘08.
Safety Michael Hamlin brings the lumber in the secondary. He displayed his nose for the football by finishing second on the team with 97 tackles and picking off 4 passes in ’07. The rest of the secondary that finished in the top 15 nationally in pass efficiency defense returns in tact, so there shouldn’t be any problem shutting down the generally weak ACC passing games.
If anything is going to hold this defense back it is going to be the instability at linebacker. Leading tackler Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie exhausted their eligibility, and Cortney Vincent was kicked off the team over the summer. Additionally, the talented Antonio Clay is injured and might never see the football field again. Those four made up a fantastic group a year ago, so all three spots will need to be filled. Scotty Cooper started two games as a freshman a year ago and he has the best athleticism to pick up the slack.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The linebackers. Watkins, Billie, and Vincent made up a fine trio, and replacing them won’t be easy. How well the new crop plays will go a long way toward keeping the defense among the top 10-15 in the nation.
RISING STAR
Defensive end DaQuan Bowers. The blue chip true freshman was enrolled for spring practice, and already looks like he’ll secure a starting spot.
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