CLEMSON TIGERS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Chad Diehl-FB, Phillip Price-OT, David Smith-OG, Antoine McClain-OG, Landon Walker-OT, Dwayne Allen-TE (NFL)
DEFENSE: Brandon Thompson-NG, Rennie Moore-DT, Andre Branch-DE, Coty Sensabaugh-CB, Dawson Zimmerman-P
WR Sammy Watkins
Offensive Skill Positions

An electric array of award winning receivers, running backs, quarterback and tight end are all back to make Clemson the team to beat in the ACC. Young Sammy Watkins is an All-American with a future that shines very bright. Dwayne Allen is the best tight end in American according to the John Mackey Award voters.

Offensive Line / Defensive Line

The defensive line lost three seniors that will be playing football after college and this was still the one of the league's worst run defenses. The offensive line too takes quite a few hits in the key losses department. Coaches need to locate two tackles worthy of protecting a gifted quarterback.

LB Corico Hawkins
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
CLEMSON 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Tajh Boyd-Jr Cole Stoudt-So
RB Andre Ellington-Sr D.J. Howard-So / Mike Bellamy-So
WR Jaron Brown-Sr Charone Peake-So
WR Sammy Watkins-So Adam Humphries-So
WR DeAndre Hopkins-Jr Martavis Bryant-So
TE Brandon Ford-Sr ..
OT .. ..
OG Brandon Thomas-Jr ..
C Dalton Freeman-Sr ..
OG .. ..
OT .. ..
K Chandler Catanzaro-Jr ..
 
CLEMSON 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Malliciah Goodman-Sr ..
NG Tyler Shatley-Jr ..
DT DeShawn Williams-So ..
DE Corey Crawford-So ..
SLB Quandon Christian-Jr ..
MLB Corico Hawkins-Sr Stephone Anthony-So / Spencer Shuey-Jr
WLB Jonathan Willard-Sr Justin Parker-Jr
CB Bashaud Breeland-So Martin Jenkins-Jr
CB Xavier Brewer-Sr Darius Robinson-Jr
SS Jonathan Meeks-Sr ..
FS Rashard Hall-Sr Robert Smith-So / Carlton Lewis-Sr
P Spencer Benton-Sr ..
QUICK TAKES
  • Clemson has stockpiled an incredible array of players to handle the football. With another year of experience, this offense is set up to become one of the nation's top scoring machines.
  • Before he leaves for the NFL, Sammy Watkins will prove to be the best all-purpose receivers/return men in the country.
  • UNDERRATED: Receiver DeAndre Hopkins is Clemson's overlooked star. While opposing defenses focus on slowing down game-breaking WR Sammy Watkins, Hopkins quietly continues to go about his business.
  • Veteran running back Andre Ellington once backed up C.J. Spiller. He is not quite as flashy or nimble but gives this offense a much-needed balance. If Ellington can start to become more of a weapon between the tackles, Clemson might be unbeatable. When Andre Ellington has a good game, good things happen for Clemson.
  • Dwayne Allen has a receiver's moves and speed in a tight end's body. He is ready for the NFL.
  • The Clemson passing game will continue to struggle if the protection continues to be inadequate. The offensive line is a huge matter of concern this off-season with three starters departing.
  • Defensive end Malliciah Goodman posted two sacks in 2011. Nobody else returning on the defensive line registered a single sack. This is a rebuilding project.
  • If games are won and lost on the line of scrimmage, the Tigers won't repeat as ACC Champions. Luckily, Clemson will test this theory with some of the best offensive skill talent assembled anywhere.

 

 

CLEMSON 2012 SCHEDULE
non-conference opponents

09/01 - Auburn @Atlanta, GA
09/08 - Ball State
09/15 - Furman
11/24 - South Carolina
----------------
TBA Georgia Tech
TBA Maryland
TBA North Carolina State
TBA Virginia Tech
TBA at Boston College
TBA at Duke
TBA at Florida State
TBA at Wake Forest