Who Will Emerge as the Clemson Tigers' Next Offensive Star?

The Clemson Tigers are coming off a pretty successful football season. They it made to the ACC Title game, beat Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, and won nine games. Their offense scored more than 30 points in six straight games.

It also didn't hurt that the Tigers boasted college football's most explosive player in C.J. Spiller. Spiller had ability to reach score by running, receiving, or returning kicks. In addition, Clemson had wide receiver Jacoby Ford, a player that could stretch defenses with his 4.2 40 speed. Those are awful big shoes to fill in the Clemson offense. Who has emerged from the spring practices as the top candidates to replace Spiller and Ford in leading the offense?

Kyle Parker QB

As a freshman last year, Parker didn't have the pressure to carry the offense. Tiger coaches knew they just needed to get the ball to Spiller and they'd be fine. Now Parker will be in the position where he could become the catalyst of the Clemson offense.

Parker had a productive season in 2009. He threw for over 2,500 yards, 20 TD, with just 12 interceptions. Those are good numbers for a 1st year starter. I think he's ready to truly be the leader of the offense. The question is will Parker forgo football to pursue a professional baseball career. If Parker doesn't return, expect Tajh Boyd to be named the starter. Think Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State when trying to picture Boyd. Boyd is talented but very inexperienced.

Dwayne Allen TE

Allen is an All-ACC possibly All-American talent at TE for Clemson. Yes, he's that good. One thing I didn't understand last year was that it took Clemson coaches half a year to discover they could throw to TE Michael Palmer. They won't make the mistake of forgetting the TE again.

Last year, Allen had 10 receptions, but three of those were for TDs. At 6'3'' and 255 pounds, he's a big target with good hands for whoever plays QB. He was the star of the spring game with 3 receptions for 81 yards. Clemson's wide receivers are still a question mark, so I expect a big from year from Allen.

Andre Ellington RB

Tiger fans are hopeful that Ellington is the next C.J. Spiller. At 5'10'' and 180 pounds, he's a slightly lighter version of Spiller. He has good speed, but I don't think he's quite as fast as Spiller was. He did average over 7 yards a run last year on 68 carries. He had a strong spring game rushing for 86 yards and a TD on 16 rushes.

Clemson has another RB Jamie Harper that will get carries, but to me Ellington has clearly pushed ahead of Harper. If he can handle the pounding of being the primary running Ellington could have a very solid season.

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