2003 Statistics

Quarterback
The Tigers have the best quarterback in the ACC at the helm as Charlie Whitehurst returns for his junior season. He is only the second quarterback in ACC history to reach the 5,000-yard career passing total as a sophomore. After starting Clemson's last 17 games, Whitehurst now has the experience to go along with his natural talent to emerge as a leader and one of the nation's elite signal callers. His 13 INTs have to shrink for the team to do as well as his other stellar stats. Whitehurst's backup is sophomore Chansi Stuckey, an athletic player in the mold of former Tiger quarterback Woody Dantzler.

Running Back
Duane Coleman returns as the starting tailback for Clemson. He is an effective runner, but is not strong enough to assume a workhorse role. Coleman is also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Senior Yusef Kelley will compete for playing time. With his size (234 lbs.) and strength, he offers a good change of pace. He was productive as a sophomore but was hampered by injuries most of last season. Junior Kyle Browning, effective in a limited role last season, should also get some carries. Cliff Harrell, whose blocking helped the Tigers improve their success in short yardage situations, will start at fullback. Bowden would be wise to give this position a few more than the five touches it got in '03.

Wide Receiver
This continues to be a position of strength for Clemson. Senior Airese Currie, whose speed has earned him a spot on the all-ACC track team the last two years, leads the receiving corps. Currie needs to stay healthy after missing three 2003 games and being limited in others. The other starter is junior Curtis Baham, who Tiger coaches thought was one of the most improved offensive players. Currie will be the deep threat while Baham fills the role of possession receiver. Backing them up is sophomore Kelvin Grant, who came on at the end. Grant has to worth more than the underneath stuff they previously gave him.

Tight End
Clemson does not throw much to their tight ends, so to earn playing time, they have to be good blockers. Starter Bobby Williamson, a junior, is a solid blocker who also has decent hands on the rare occasion he needs to catch a pass. Like at FB, they need to expand this position's dimension to keep LBs and safeties on their heels.

Offensive Line
The Tigers have an experienced interior portion of the line. Former walk-on Tommy Sharpe anchors at center. Senior Cedric Johnson and junior Chip Myrick return at starting guards. Sharpe and Myrick earned their starting jobs during the heat of '03, so this will be the first full season they have played together. Both tackle spots are up for grabs, with several promising young lineman competing for them in spring practice. The past total of sacks allowed, 25, may go up, depending.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
After trying to establish a power running game, coach Bowden realized the error of his ways and went back to the no-huddle spread passing attack that was so effective when he first came to Clemson. They have the quarterback and receivers to enjoy continued success with that style, but only if they get good pass protection from their young offensive tackles. The Tigers will need some productivity out of their running game to keep defenses honest, especially since Whitehurst is not a particularly mobile quarterback.

Defensive Line
Senior end Maurice Fountain is the only returning starter and will be pushed around at only 250 pounds. He is steady, but not a big playmaker. Vontrell Jamison will start at the other end and will be a dangerous pass rusher off the edge. Eric Coleman will fill one of the tackle spots and, like Jamison, put steady pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Trey Tate will fill out the starting defensive line, but he has yet to emerge as any force. Although all four players are upperclassmen, Fountain is the only lineman with much playing experience. Expect this line to be vulnerable to the run and take a while to jell.

Linebacker
Leroy Hill snuck up on people in '03, earning All-ACC honors by leading Tigers with 110 solo tackles and a phenomenal 27 tackles for loss. Both of those figures were among the best in the nation. Matching that feat will be difficult for Hill, but he will be up to the task, however, and take his place among the best linebackers in the nation. He is complimented by Eric Sampson, who is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2003. Sampson is the Tigers' best linebacker in pass coverage and also plays the run well, giving Hill more freedom to gamble and improvise. Athletic sophomore Anthony Waters fills out Clemson's linebacker corps, but he has yet to show his potential. This crew is one of the best in the ACC. But the burden they have with such an inexperienced line means they may not shine in a way that reflects their true talents.

Defensive Back
This area is full up with experience and proven ability(ies). Justin Miller returns as the Tigers' best cover man. After a fabulous freshman season, his numbers dropped, mainly because of respect, for opposing offenses did not often challenge him. Converted running back and track star Tye Hill combines with Miller to give Clemson one of the better pairs of corners in the conference. Travis Pugh, a big hitter and an asset in pass coverage, starts at free safety. Jamaal Fudge is the big-play man in the secondary. He led the team in takeaways and was third in tackles from his rover back position. He will continue to be a player opponents must locate on every down. This veteran secondary, a solid unit, should be outstanding.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Clemson will again be vulnerable to oversized offensive lines and big running backs shoving the ball down their throat. Their back-seven, however, has the playmakers to force offenses to turn the ball over and have negative yardage plays. Leroy Hill will be one of the best linebackers in the nation, and the tandem of Justin Miller and Tye Hill will once again make it difficult for opponents to be very successful in the passing game. The key will be how much production the Tigers get from the defensive front four. They may eventually have to sneak extra men up to help the front-seven, so pass defense may suffer accordingly. Said variable may cost this side of the ball any marginal dominance possible. If the line can just hold its own and not get dominated, this will be a very good defensive team.