Linebacker corps at Clemson one of ACC’s best

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Friday, May 19, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Clemson Tigers
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When Clemson linebacker Anthony Waters announced he would return for his senior year with the Tigers, after receiving numerous quality NFL draft reports, he solidified what is arguably the ACC's best linebacker corps for the 2006 season.

Waters will be joined by junior Nick Watkins and senior Tremaine Billie in defensive coordinator Vic Koenning's 3-4 defense. The trio returns to Clemson after coming 1-2-3 in terms of tackles for the Tigers' defense last year. Waters, who led the team, finished the season with 109 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss per game and 1.5 sacks per game. Watkins, who finished second for the Tigers last year, finished the season with 99 tackles. Billie finished third with 93 tackles.

Although Waters and his unit may be one of the most feared in the ACC next season, depth will hurt opposing teams all the more.

Returning for the Clemson Tigers at the linebacker position will be sophomores Antonio Clay and Josh Miller, both of whom saw playing time in every game last season. While Miller is a talented linebacker, Clay proved to be one of the most dangerous young linebackers in the ACC. As a true freshman, Clay finished with 27 tackles, 17 of which were initial hits. He also managed to push his way into one start last season and may see more in 2006, according to head coach Tommy Bowden.

"Antonio Clay has looked really good and is really battling Tremaine Billie for his first team job," Bowden said. "He could bump back in because he is a very good linebacker, but I would like to keep him where he is to keep the heat on Tremaine and keep his attention."

With support from a defense that includes standout DE Gaines Adams as well as freshman All-American SS Michael Hamlin, this Clemson linebacker unit has the speed and the strength to dominate opposing offenses.

It should be fun to watch Clemson's linebackers anchor a very solid Tiger defense in 2006.
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