Clemson Tiger Football Depth Chart Analysis

Earlier this week Coach Swinney and his staff released the team depth chart. There are a few surprises and some question marks on the offensive line and defensive line. What should you expect from each position is broken down below.

Tajh Boyd

Cole Stoudt

Chad Kelly

Morgan Roberts

Clemson has to be happy with the position they're  in at quarterback. Boyd might

be the best QB in the ACC and at one point last year he was a top ten Heisman candidate. Boyd will need to finish the year much better than he did last year and after slimming down he should be a factor in the run game.  Backup Cole Stoudt had some valuable experience last year in some key situations and held off true freshman Chad Kelly for the backup roll. Stoudt is a good game manager and a solid backup to Boyd. Kelly is the future of Clemson and coaches are impressed at how well he has came along as a true freshman.

Andre Ellington

D.J. Howard

Rod McDowell

Zac Brooks

Andre Ellington is no question the top back for the Tigers. If he is able to stay healthy he should be able to compete for the most rushing yards in the ACC. Behind Ellington are unproven backs and question marks after the departure of Mike Bellamy. D.J. Howard did well as the 3rd back last season and should be dependable when asked to relieve Ellington. One of the biggest surprises in summer practice has been Rod McDowell. In team scrimmages he has shown big play ability and will be given the opportunity to be in Clemson's backfield rotation. Zac Brooks has benefited the most from Bellamy's departure which prevented him from being redshirted this season. Brooks could get most of the snaps in short yardage situations and be used in the passing game. Also, 6-2 250 Darrell Smith will be used as a fullback which will not be featured much in Clemson's offense but he could also play as a tight end or H-back.

DeAndre Hopkins

Martavis Bryant

Jaron Brown

Charone Peake

Sammy Watkins

Adam Humphries

Brandon Ford

Sam Cooper

The Clemson receiving corps is as good as any in the country. Sammy Watkins is in the discussion as being one of the best receivers in the country. DeAndre Hopkins has sure hands and can be used often in red zone situations. Jaron Brown is consistent, sure handed, and dependable as is Adam Humphries. Charone Peake and Martavis Bryant have untapped potential and will have plenty of opportunities to shine this season especially in the open against Auburn with Sammy Watkins suspended. At tight end, Brandon Ford isn't likely to be the best tight end in the country like his predecessor DeWayne Allen. Ford has shown he can be relied upon in clutch situations and could be a safety net for Boyd. Behind Ford will be Cooper who will be used more as a blocker as will Eric Mac Clain.

Brandon Thomas

Isaiah Battle

David Beasley

Kalon Davis

Dalton Freeman

Ryan Norton

Tyler Shatley

Reid Webster

Gifford Timothy

Shaq Anthony

Joe Gore

One of the keys to Clemson's success this season will depend on how young offensive lineman perform. Clemson knows what to expect from Dalton Freeman and Brandon Thomas as the 2 returning starters. Clemson will look to some inexperienced lineman in Shatley, Timothy, and Beasley. Timothy is injured going into the season but still could start in the Auburn game. If he is not able to go, Shaq Anthony, another unproven player, will be asked to step up and start.

Malliciah Goodman

Tavaris Barnes

Grady Jarrett

Roderick Byers

DeShawn Williams

Josh Watson

Corey Crawford

Vic Beasley

The defensive line for Clemson has not been as unproven as this years in sometime. Malliciah Goodman will be asked to step up and be the star of the D-line after posting only 2 sacks this year. Corey Crawford has had some experience but the rest of the line haven't shown the ability to be impact players. Freshmen D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins will get some playing time and could make a major impact on a defensive line that looks like it will be the week link.

Quandon Christian

Travis Blanks

Lateek Townsend

Stephone Anthony

Spencer Shuey

Jonathan Willard

Corico Wright

Tony Steward

This season the Tiger linebackers should benefit from and read and react defense installed by defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Stephone Anthony has star potential and could develop into one of the best linebackers Clemson has had since Anthony Simmons and Keith Adams. At weakside linebacker Clemson will have 2 seniors on the 2 deep in Jonathon "Tig" Willard and Corico Wright. Quandon Christian and Travis Blanks will spit time depending on if Clemson will be in the 4-3 or a nickel package. Blanks is as ready as any defensive Freshman in the country and will be a contender for ACC Freshman of the Year.

Darius Robinson

Garry Peters

Jonathan Meeks

Rashard Hall

Rashard Hall

Xavier Brewer

Bashaud Breeland

Cortez Davis

The secondary returns most of its key players from last season. Hall hopes to bounce back from nagging injuries last season and become a defensive stud. Breeland and Robinson start but Xavier Brewer will play almost as much and contribute at both safety positions.

Chandler Catanzaro

Ammon Lakip

Spencer Benton

Bradley Pinion

Sammy Watkins

Martavis Bryant

DeAndre Hopkins

Sammy Watkins

Clemson's special teams are good and can be depended upon in tight games. Chandler Catanzaro enters his 3rd year as kickers and has proven himself to be a good kicker in tight games. Spencer Benton will be the kickoff specialist and punter where he will pushed by true freshman Bradley Pinion. Clemson has the benefit of putting in a number of skill players in the return game. Sammy Watkins will help Clemson establish field position and DeAndre Hopkins is a sure handed punt returner.