Sophomores lead the way for the Tigers

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Friday, August 11, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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Senior leadership appears to be the theme for this year's Clemson Tigers. The name Clemson can hardly be spoken without also mentioning Gaines Adams, Chansi Stuckey, Anthony Waters or Will Proctor. While the returning seniors for Clemson may have an extraordinary impact in the ACC this season, the sophomore class, however, will likely provide the boost that head coach Tommy Bowden will need to take the Tigers to the top.

Currently, the Tigers list 11 sophomores as either starters or in a position to become starters. Headlining the second-year-starters is, obviously, James Davis, who received ACC Rookie of the Year accolades last season. Davis provided Clemson with a surefire running game that the Tigers hadn't experience since the days of Travis Zachary and Raymond Priester.

While Davis became the instant star among the Tiger faithful, the passing game also developed into an effective weapon for Clemson. Sophomore Aaron Kelly became an immediate starter last season, and played a key role in Clemson's wins versus Florida State, North Carolina State and Temple. Kelly compiled 47 catches for 575 yards in 2005, making him the Tigers' second leading receiver behind first team All-ACC selection Chansi Stuckey.

Alongside Kelly will be fellow sophomores Rendrick Taylor and Tyler Grisham, who also appear promising in the Tigers' passing game.

Although he saw limited time in 2005 due to injury, Taylor was the star of Clemson's annual Orange and White game last April, catching four passes for an astounding 174 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown pass. Taylor also impressed coaches enough this past spring that the staff created a hybrid-position just for him (J-back) that will allow Taylor to transition from wideout to tight end, fullback or tailback.

Grisham, who reeled in 10 catches for 101 yards in '05, also put on a display of talent at the Tigers' spring game. The Alabama native managed nine catches for 106 yards with no dropped passes. Grisham was also a factor in Clemson's bowl game victory over Colorado, pulling down two receptions for 34 yards, including an impressive 28- yard strike.

Both Taylor and Grisham are listed as alternating starters in Bowden's three-receiver formations.

Defensively, coordinator Vic Koenning has placed two, possibly three, sophomores on the defensive line. Phillip Merling is slated to play opposite Gaines Adams as the strong-side defensive end. Rashaad Jackson, who started last season, will be joining Merling on the line as the Tigers' defensive tackle. Senior Donnell Clark is currently listed as first-team nose guard, but sophomore Dorell Scott has been applying pressure and may share playing time with Clark.

Two sophomores will also start in Clemson's secondary. With the loss of CB Tye Hill and FS Jamaal Fudge, the secondary appears very thin and full of question marks, but 2005 Freshman All-American Michael Hamlin is slated to start at the CAT position, a linebacker/strong safety combination, and Chris Clemons will start as the Tigers' free safety. Both sophomores saw extensive playing time last season in the secondary rotation, and will play alongside senior CB Duane Coleman and junior CB C.J. Gaddis in 2006.

Although the sophomore class may not have as much experience as the Tigers' seniors, many of them often saw significant playing time and, on several occasions, outperformed some of the Tiger veterans. The sophomore class will not only add star-studded talent to nearly every position this season, but they will also provide both sides of the ball with a rare commodity for any team - depth.

"I have more depth since I have been here," said Bowden prior to fall preseason training. "At Clemson this is the deepest we have been."

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