Last year, Kendall Joseph played the weakside position all season. The now senior was very productive there, totaling 87 tackles, which was second on the team behind All-American Dorian O’Daniel’s 104.
So it was reasonable to think, especially with Tre Lamar back at middle linebacker where he started eight games before what turned out to be a season-ending injury against Florida State, Joseph will again be the starter on the weakside. However, at least as far as the preseason depth chart goes, Clemson’s All-ACC linebacker will begin fall camp in the middle, not Lamar.
“It’s what Brent (Venables) felt like gave us the best chance on Day One,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said earlier this week when asked about Joseph listed as the starting middle linebacker.