Clemson’s Clay being counted on in the middle

By Bob Wilson  |   Wednesday, February 28, 2007  |  Comments( 2 )

Clemson Tigers
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Clemson linebacker Antonio Clay will be expected to be one of the team's leaders in 2007. That's if he returns to school, of course. The talented Clay took the spring semester off to better deal with his personal life and will not participate in spring practice. School officials do expect him to be enrolled in the summer session that would allow him to remain on track academically.

Last year was an emotional roller coaster ride for Clay. He became a starter after a broken ankle ended Tramaine Billie's season, but then lost his sister in a car accident the next week. Clay chose to continue to play football as he tried to deal with the heavy heart that comes from losing a loved one.

Clay ranked third on the team with 78 tackles -- 16 behind team leader Nick Watkins. Clay prefers playing middle linebacker but showed some versatility by lining up on the outside as well as in the middle in '06. In all likelihood, he will be manning the middle next season.

Billie will be back from injury next year, and his return will provide a boost. Clay, provided he returns, will be counted on to be the run stopper and clog the middle of the field. If the rising junior can fulfill that role, Billie will be free to make plays from the outside. At 6-feet and 220 pounds, Clay isn't the biggest middle linebacker, but he is solidly put together and packs a wallop.

Clay played well last year, especially for a first-time starter. He began the year on the outside but quickly moved inside after Anthony Waters was also lost for the season. Clay was better against the run than the pass and sometimes struggled in coverage. However, his coverage skills will improve with coaching. Furthermore, he was terrific against the rush and a big part of why the Tigers had the 18th-best run defense in the land at 103.1 yards per game.

If Clay returns in 2007 and is able to play with a little more consistency and control the middle of the field, Clemson should once again have one of the better linebacking corps in the ACC.

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