Early look: What to like about No. 9 Clemson in 2017
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will give a more detailed look at the teams listed on our early top 25 for the 2017 college football season.
Up next: No. 9 Clemson. Now one of the elite programs in the country, the defending national champions take aim at a repeat without quarterback Deshaun Watson and several key starters from a year ago.
Why No. 9?
1. Consistency. The most important factor to consider is also the simplest. Clemson has won at least 10 games in each of the past six seasons. Only once in the past five years have the Tigers finished outside the top 10 of the final Amway Coaches Poll. Therefore, it makes sense that Clemson will finish the 2017 season ranked inside the top 10 of the coaches poll. This has become one of the premier programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
2. Wide receivers. Clemson lost two NFL receivers from last year’s roster; one, the great Mike Williams, was drafted seventh overall. The receiver corps nonetheless remains one of the nation’s best. The three projected starters — Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud and Hunter Renfrow — made a combined 131 grabs a year ago, none more famous than Renfrow’s game-winning catch against Alabama. Of this group, look for Cain to embrace the task of becoming the Tigers’ go-to target.
EARLY LOOK: No. 11 LSU | No. 12 Wisconsin | No. 10 Oklahoma State
By far a greater concern is the hole at tight end, where Clemson has no proven or even tested option to insert in place of Jordan Leggett. For years, the program has led the way in terms of finding unique ways to involve its tight ends in the offense. What does that mean for 2017? That the offense may have a somewhat different look than compared the recent past.
3. Defensive line. The Tigers’ defense will win games up front, with a collection of defensive linemen perhaps unmatched across the FBS. Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence are All-America picks; it’s almost cruel to have both on the same line, let alone both side by side at tackle, as may be the case in 2017. At end, Clelin Ferrell showed what he’s capable of with a tremendous performance in the Fiesta Bowl. The only sticking point — if we’re nitpicking — is a lack of experienced depth. Given the ability several underclassmen bring to the table, that’s not a huge concern.
Why not higher?
1. No Watson. Clemson’s transition from one of the greatest players in program history to a relative neophyte at quarterback has been the defining story line of the Tigers’ offseason. (Predictably so.) How big a worry should this be? A pessimist might say: Losing the best quarterback to wear the school colors is bad for business. And they’d be right. And the optimist: Clemson’s collection of skill talent and experience, when teamed with steady leadership on the sidelines and in the locker room, should yield a strong performance from the new starter. That would also be correct.
Take the middle ground. It would be stupid to suggest that Clemson’s replacement — likely Kelly Bryant to open the year, with true freshman Hunter Johnson waiting in the wings — will flop in a starting role. It would also be stupid to suggest that he’ll match, or even near, Watson’s impact under center. So it won’t be bad! It just won’t be as good.
2. Running the football. Maybe this won’t be an issue, particularly if the offensive line plays with more consistency in the running game — as it should, given the four returning starters from a year ago. But the Tigers’ lack of a clear go-to option at running back to replace Wayne Gallman is a secondary concern for this offense, behind the competition at quarterback. Clemson has three options: C.J. Fuller and Adam Choice, both juniors, and sophomore Tavien Feaster. It’ll almost certainly be a by-committee approach for the Tigers and co-coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott.
For Clemson's Dabo Swinney, it's always about what's next
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Biggest games
►Vs. Auburn, Sept. 9
►At Louisville, Sept. 16
►Vs. Florida State, Nov. 11
Three players to know
1. LB Dorian O’Daniel. The former special-teams star had a very solid debut season in the starting lineup in 2016.
2. OT Tremayne Anchrum. The Tigers have Mitch Hyatt on the blind side and Sean Pollard on the right. In other words, Anchrum is a backup. But even as the third tackle and a potential option inside, the sophomore is too talented to keep off the field.
3. DT Nyles Pinckney. There will be some snaps to be had along the interior for the redshirt freshman, who impressed defensive coaches with his work on the Tigers’ scout team a year ago.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPRING GAMES
