Clemson’s Harper looking sharp

By Bob Wilson  |   Thursday, April 19, 2007  |  Comments( 10 )

Clemson Tigers
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Rising junior quarterback Cullen Harper has looked solid this spring for Clemson, leaving some fans to wonder why -- aside from mop-up duty -- he never saw action last season except. The Tigers' signal-caller connected on 42-of-66 pass attempts for 457 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in the team's scrimmages.

Before Clemson's fans get too worked up, though, they should remember that 2006 QB Will Proctor put up some pretty impressive numbers in last spring's scrimmages, too. Also, Harper couldn't unseat the streaky senior last year.

Spring games allow the coaches to put the players they want to succeed in a position to do so, more so than they can in real games. It is still up to the players to take advantage of the situations that the coaches put them into, though. So while Harper's spring numbers shouldn't be an indication that he is going to be great, he still should be commended for performing well.

Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden has confirmed that Harper, an Alpharetta, Ga., native, is the front-runner for the starting quarterback position. There will be pressure to play highly touted freshman Willy Korn, however, especially if the offense struggles early. Nevertheless, Harper is currently leading the competition.

It will be important for the Clemson coaches to show confidence in Harper early if he indeed wins the starting position. However, they cannot afford to sit Korn if the offensive struggles of last season's slide continue. Last year, Proctor played poorly down the stretch and looked like he had no confidence. Rather than go to Harper, the coaches tried to let Proctor ride out the storm, with disastrous results. Bowden is once again feeling the heat, and he can't be at the helm of another disappointing season.

For now, Harper is the man. If he can play close to the level next season that he showed this spring, the Tigers' offense should be fine. If not, Bowden's fate will be in the young hands of Willy Korn.

Original Clemson Tigers insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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