Clemson’s Harper dependent on recievers

By Bob Wilson  |   Monday, June 11, 2007  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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Despite all of the talk about freshman quarterback Willy Korn, Cullen Harper will be taking the snaps as the starting signal caller when Clemson hosts Florida State to open the 2007 season. Many Tigers fans expect Korn to overtake Cullen at some point this season, but for now the job is his.

How long Harper can keep it could depend on his receivers. Aaron Kelly is the leading returning receiver in terms of receptions (30) and yards (355). While the sophomore disappeared at times last year and didn't put up the numbers expected after his sensational freshman campaign, that wasn't totally his fault.

Clemson's coaches fell in love with the running game and didn't get then-quarterback Will Proctor the game reps that he apparently needed early in the 2006 season. Too often, he was faced with long third downs after two straight runs into stacked defensive lines. The beleaguered quarterback was also at fault. He lost confidence in his arm and looked scared down the stretch. Losing Chansi Stuckey and Rendrick Taylor also hurt the passing game.

While Stuckey is a New York Jet, Taylor is back and, if healthy, should become a solid option for Harper. His intriguing combination of power and speed should translate into a devastating weapon for the offense, provided the coaching staff can figure out how to best utilize the physical freak.

Jacoby Ford looks to improve on a fantastic freshman year in which he caught 15 balls for 187 yards and two scores. The trackman was used sparingly early in the season and really came on strong down the stretch. He has gamebreaking speed and should be used to stretch the defense.

Tyler Grisham quietly caught 25 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. The Alabama native is the type of player coaches love. He's tough and willing to do whatever the team needs him to do.

The rumors coming out of the Tigers' spring practices are that Kelly is turning into the go-to receiver and that Ford's receiving skills have greatly improved -- making him even more dangerous. That's good news for Harper, because his tenure as the starter may depend more on his receivers than on his own skill level. If the passing game falters, head coach Tommy Bowden may be tempted to go to the hyped-up freshman.

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