Clemson Football Recruiting: Top Targets, Positional Needs and Predictions

The biggest day in the offseason is getting closer and closer each day. That's right, college football fans: National Signing Day is right around the corner.

On this momentous day, future college stars officially sign their letters of intent to become full-time college football players. From the small Division III schools to prime-time Division I, football's future stars will come from many different places.

Clemson is no exception to the rule. Thanks to the months of effort from head coach Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff, the Tigers expect to ink yet another strong recruiting class that is ripe with talent. 

There is one question Tiger fans are itching to know: What talent can we expect out of Clemson's 2012 class?

Defensive Line Needs

Clemson has been known for its talent and production along the defensive line. Just look at William Perry, Gaines Adams and Daquan Bowers.

But, the Tigers are losing three of their four starters along the defensive line, including the likes of NFL-caliber Brandon Thompson and Andre Branch. The Tigers will be counting upon some young faces next season to step up to the plate.

One of these faces may be 4-star athlete Carlos Watkins, who is currently committed to the Clemson Tigers and should figure to get immediate playing time. Clemson also has defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Martin Aiken, who could provide plenty of competition among an already young group of defensive linemen.

Overall, Clemson's defensive line is full of talent but short of experience, and it will need time to get acclimated and plenty of long looks in the fall by position coaches Marion Hobby and Dan Brooks.

Offensive Line Needs

Along the offensive line, Clemson had its ups and downs throughout the season and must replace four of five starters. Swing player Brandon Thomas and returning senior Dalton Freeman have the most experience along the line.

Depending on whether Thomas plays at left tackle or guard, the Tigers must replace three spots along the line to untested players. There will be plenty of work to do in the spring and the fall, especially on the right side, where both the guard and the tackle must be replaced.

So far, the Tigers have plenty of talent in their recruiting class to take a look at, including several top prospects in Javarius Leamon, Jay Guillermo and Patrick Destefano. Oliver Jones is also a solid prospect that warrants a look and could be in line for the main rotation as well.

The Tigers are in the same situation here as they are along the defensive line: big talent and upside, but short on experience.

Running Back Needs

For the last few seasons, the Tigers have had the luxury of having threats like C.J. Spiller and Andre Ellington in the backfield.

But, come 2013, there will be no Ellington, and there has not been one clear-cut guy Tiger fans know will be able to replace his productivity at the position.

DJ Howard has shown flashes but is still a little raw and needs more work behind Ellington before he can fully assume a starting role. Mike Bellamy has speed, talent and...speed, but he has shown immaturity in his freshman year, and his long term status with the team is in doubt.

Meanwhile, Rod McDowell has never really emerged as an option, and is third on the depth chart behind Howard and even Bellamy (before his suspension).

In this class, Clemson was unable to land either Keith Marshall or Todd Gurley, with both of them defecting to UGA. Clemson signed only one running back in Zac Brooks and must look for a signing-day switch to occur if it wants to get another back.

This group is talented but has long-term uncertainty behind Ellington.

Secondary Needs

In 2011, Clemson was plagued by a young secondary that gave up too many big plays in the passing game and struggled to play with any consistency all season long.

But, there is hope on the horizon.

With young corners like Bashaud Breeland and Martin Jenkins showing plenty of potential, the secondary looks to shape up for the long run. The key is also for starter Rashard Hall to return healthy, having dealt with a knee injury for a good part of the season.

Johnathan Meeks also has something to prove at the opposite safety spot, while backup safety Robert Smith also hopes to make strides after playing as a true freshman.

This class brought in Travis Blanks, one of the best defensive backs in the nation, who is described as a physical corner with good cover skills to play either corner or safety. This is one of the biggest signees of the 2012 class that will make an immediate impact.

Target: D.J. Reader

Defensive tackle D.J. Reader remains a top prospect for the Tigers to bolster a class with some much-needed help along the defensive line.

Reader has the Tigers near the top of his list but will wait it out to make his final decision. Reader is also considering baseball as well, which could become a factor as his decision looms closer.

Ronald Darby

Defensive back/running back Ronald Darby is still in the running and should not be ruled out of Clemson's recruiting battle just yet.

The fact that Brent Venables was hired as defensive coordinator warranted another visit from the Maryland native.

If Darby were to come to Clemson, it's likely that he sticks as a defensive back for the Tigers. He brings plenty of speed to a Clemson secondary that had its troubles keeping up in man-to-man coverage.

Offensive Line Predictions

This year, the competition will be heavy along the offensive line, as protecting the quarterback is the top priority for this group.

But, with three open spots and a group of talented linemen coming in, here is a bold prediction for this unit: Of the three open spots up for grabs, at least two of them will be freshmen, with one possibly manning the left tackle position.

With such uncertainty in Clemson's current group, the coaches will have to wait until the fall to see what the freshmen have to offer, and with a couple of premium 4-star linemen, it'll be interesting to see what the starting lineup will be come September.

Defensive Line Predictions

The defensive line will also be young up front, and this next prediction has 4-star player Carlos Watkins as a starter alongside either Tyler Shatley or DeShawn Williams.

The current corps of defensive linemen have not established themselves as viable options to crack the starting lineup, and while names like Beasley have shown promise, it may not be enough to upset highly touted Carlos Watkins.

Running Back Predictions

With such short hands at running back, along with the uncertain long-term status of Mike Bellamy, recruit athlete Zack Brooks may have to play running back despite his 6'2" frame, and he will avoid a redshirt and compete for playing time behind Ellington and Howard.

Brooks, a highly touted recruit out of Arkansas, has speed to play at running back or receiver and has the ability to catch well out of the backfield, and his skill set may be just what Clemson needs for its running back corps.

Final Conclusions

As talented as this recruiting class is, not everyone may earn a spot on the field.

Chad Kelly, due to the entrenched players above him, will have to take a redshirt if he wants to be a starting future quarterback at Clemson.

Martin Aiken may also have to take a backseat to other recruits like Shaq Lawson, who could see immediate playing time in rotation at defensive end.

Otherwise, this class is a top 10-caliber recruiting class, and head coach Dabo Swinney can happily look towards a bright future at Clemson.

And with the talent this recruiting class has, he may be able to go further than ACC Championships.