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Friday, August 24
Clemson football preview
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
Despite the graduation loss of standout WR Rod Gardner and the decision of productive, big-play LB Keith Adams (23 sacks) to move on to the NFL after his junior campaign, Clemson could be a major factor, not only in the ACC, but in terms of the national picture.
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Fri., Aug. 24
Clemson had already lost first-round draft pick Rod Gardner, who had been Woody Dantzler's favorite target in the red zone. Now the Tigers lose Kevin Youngblood for the season to a broken leg suffered Tuesday during their last preseason scrimmage.
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OFFENSE
Offensively, everything revolves around highly skilled senior signal caller Woodrow Dantzler. In recent weeks, many were outraged when Dantzler was not included in my top 30 listing of the best college football players. At the time, I preferred to wait until fall practice began to ensure that Dantzler was 100 percent and ready to go. If that were the case, he would automatically deserve to be placed within the top 10. Remember, he underwent surgery on Jan. 6 to correct the tendon problem in his left ankle, then was forced to sit out spring practice.
After speaking with Dantzler last week, the ankle injury, which hampered him significantly over the final four games of the 2000 season, is a thing of the past. If he remains at full strength the entire season and a key wideout emerges to compensate for Gardner's loss, there is no question that Dantzler will become one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates. By the way, Dantzler is also a well-rounded student-athlete. He has his degree (marketing) from Clemson and will be a graduate student in the fall.
Last year, he completed just over 56 percent of his passes, while tossing 11 TD strikes compared to seven interceptions. While he's an underrated college passer, Dantzler is at his best when he tucks the ball away and becomes a dynamic open-field runner. Last year, he rushed for over 1,000 yards.
In addition to Dantzler's all-around skills, the Tigers have a proven RB in Travis Zachery. Like Dantzler, he is also coming off the injury list. In the bowl game, he suffered a broken ankle that forced him to sit out spring practice, Reportedly, Zachery is ready to go and back at 100 percent.
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Tigers at a glance
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2001 schedule
Sept. 1 vs. Central Florida
Sept. 8 vs. Wofford
Sept. 15 vs. Duke
Sept. 22 vs. Virginia
Sept. 29 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 11 at N.C. State
Oct. 20 vs. North Carolina
Oct. 27 at Wake Forest
Nov. 3 vs. Florida State
Nov. 10 at Maryland
Nov. 17 at South Carolina
2000 results
(9-3, 6-2 ACC)
The Citadel W 38-0
Missouri W 62-9
Wake Forest W 55-7
at Virginia W 31-10
at Duke W 52-22
N.C. State W 34-27
Maryland W 35-14
at North Carolina W 38-24
Georgia Tech L 31-28
at Florida State L 54-7
South Carolina W 16-14
vs. No. 5 Virginia Tech L 41-20
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The Tigers need a primary go-to option to emerge in the passing game. Gardner was a tremendous ACC performer, using his size, strength, body control, and exceptional hands to operate as a power-forward type in jump-ball situations. Basically, if Dantzler threw it in his general vicinity, Gardner would outduel defensive backs for the football. This year, though, with Gardner now a Washington Redskin, the focus will be on sophomore Kevin Youngblood and junior Jackie Robinson, along with highly regarded incoming freshman Roscoe Crosby. Youngblood has the 6-foot-5 frame to become a force, while Crosby appears to have outstanding potential. Chosen in the second round by the Kansas City Royals, Crosby will play baseball in the summer and then turn his attention back to football.
Assisting Dantzler and Zachery will be a Tiger offensive line that could be one of the better units in the country. With 13 returning lettermen, experience reigns supreme up front. The leader is senior center Kyle Young. The Tigers also have high hopes for junior LT Akil Smith. Both starting OGs, Will Merritt and T.J. Watkins, are battle-tested fifth-year seniors. In addition to Smith, also watch out for former JUCO transfer (redshirted last year) Derrick Brantley. The 6-foot-4½, 295-pounder drew rave reviews for his effort in the spring. He'll likely open at RT, with junior Gary Byrd also in the mix at that spot.
Another key for coach Tommy Bowden and new coordinator Brad Scott (steps in for Rich Rodriguez, now head coach at West Virginia) is the quality depth they have at QB as well as in the backfield. Sophomore QB Willie Simmons only completed 45.7 percent of his passes late last season, but he took all of the snaps in the spring and reportedly showed marked improvement. Behind Zachery will be junior Bernard Rambert and sophomore Keith Kelly.
DEFENSE
Defensively, losing Adams hurts, but overall, the linebacking corps figures to be in good shape. Remember, last season, senior MLB Chad Carson outproduced Adams, coming through with an average of 13 tackles per game. Also keep in mind that defensive coordinator Reggie Herring has changed the scheme to fit the personnel this season. Gone is the 4-3, replaced by a 4-2-5 scheme that will have senior Braxton K. Williams operating as an extra safety. Moving in for Adams is Altroy Bodrick, a 6-1, 217-pound senior who has the necessary experience.
Up front, the key man to watch is junior Nick Eason. Now even more of a force with his weight up from 258 to 282, he'll make the move inside to DT for the 2001 campaign. Like Dantzler and Zachery, he also sat out spring practice while recovering from an Achilles' tendon injury suffered in the Gator Bowl against Virginia Tech. He's reportedly 100 percent for the start of fall practice. Khaleed Vaughn, a sophomore, takes over Eason's spot at DE, with senior Jovon Bush, junior Bryant McNeal, and redshirt freshman Donnell Washington also figuring prominently along the Tigers' front four. Washington, who is 6-5½ and in the 315-pound range, could be a dominator in future years.
The secondary returns two starters, athletically gifted junior CB Brian Mance and under-rated senior SS Charles Hafley. Mance, who also helps out in the punt and kickoff return games, came away with three interceptions last season. Hafley recorded 106 tackles as a junior and could be in line for All-America honors.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams should be solid. In fact, observers close to the Tigers feel the kicking game could be the best it has best under Bowden. PK Aaron Hunt came on last season, connecting on five of his last six FGs. Junior Wynn Kopp, a transfer for Georgia, enjoyed a good spring handling the punting duties. The Tigers also have a dangerous return game, keyed by junior Joe Don Reames. Last year, Reames finished 14th in the nation, averaging 12.2 yards as the Tigers' primary punt returner. Reames is also involved in kickoff returns as well, along with Brian Mance and Bernard Rambert. The versatile Mance actually returned a punt 88 yards for a TD last season against Georgia Tech.
OVERVIEW: With Dantzler, Zachery and Eason all back to full strength, the Tigers have a great opportunity to challenge Florida State and Georgia Tech for the ACC title. After a favorable early portion of the schedule, the Tigers go on the road in late September to face Georgia Tech in what will be a pivotal game for both teams. Fortunately, after such a huge battle, the Tigers have the following week off, before they go back on the road to face N.C. State. Then later in the campaign, the Tigers host Florida State on Nov. 3. If things fall right, all eyes in the college football world figure to be on Death Valley.
Offensively, Dantzler is a definite top Heisman candidate, although he'll need a big year from Kevin Youngblood to make up for the graduation loss of Rod Gardner. Everything else is in place from an offensive standpoint. Zachery is a proven tailback, while the move 'em-out gang has the potential to be a top-drawer unit.
Defensively, Eason should be a force along the interior, with Washington an emerging star as well. Depth, however, could become a problem up front if injuries occur. At ILB, Carson has few peers, and the shift to a 4-2-5 scheme should mask the loss of Adams to the NFL. In the secondary, Mance will be counted on to come through as the lead corner, with Hafley ranking as one of the top collegiate SS.
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