Clemson Football: Updating the 5 Best Spring Football Battles

Despite the amount of young players the Clemson Tigers had on its active roster in 2011, they still emerged with their first ACC Championship since 1991 thanks to head coach Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff.

Now the Tigers are the ones with the targets on their backs, and this spring is an important one that will help to capitalize on the success of 2011. But it is also one to help shake off the embarrassing 70-33 loss in the Orange Bowl against West Virginia.

With a new defensive coordinator and gaps to fill along the offensive and defensive lines, the Tigers hope to answer these questions and more in the spring before the rest of the Tigers' top 10 recruiting class arrives in the summer.

Defensive Tackle

For the first time in awhile, there is no clear-cut answer for the Tigers at either defensive tackle position. That is the primary reason that the defensive line remains one of the headlines of the Tigers' offseason.

About halfway through spring practice, the Tigers have split the majority of the reps between Deshawn Williams, Grady Jarrett, Tavaris Barnes, Josh Watson and Tra Thomas. All of them are sophomores that saw little time on the playing field last season. And since sought-after defensive tackles Carlos Watkins and DJ Reader won't arrive until the summer, this is key for these players to earn more playing time in the D-Line rotation.

But out of this current group, it looks as though Deshawn Williams and Tavaris Barnes have the best shot of getting on the field sooner rather than later. Jarrett needs to show a little more, as does Watson and Thomas.

Offensive Line

Halfway through the spring, it appears that some answers may be closer to emerging, at least on the interior of the line.

Having moved former defensive tackle Tyler Shatley to right guard has been paying off, as he has gotten the majority of reps with the first team offense and has been praised for his progress with a new position this spring. Guard Kalon Davis has also been getting more reps with the first team at left guard, while Brandon Thomas was slid back out to left tackle.

Tackle Gifford Timothy has not completely locked up the right side, showing flashes at times, but he remains too inconsistent to earn the confidence of the coaches. Isaiah Battle remains a factor at left tackle should the coaches decide to keep Thomas at guard, while Joe Gore remains in the competition at right tackle with Timothy.

In a recent practice before spring break, Dabo said the group, from left to right, of Thomas, Davis, Freeman, Shatley and Timothy would start if the season started today.

Linebacker

At linebacker, with a new defensive coordinator, it appears that Stephone Anthony has surpassed Corico Hawkins at the Mike position, having received most, if not all, of the first team reps. He has also earned the praises of new defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Lateek Townsend has been gaining more attention as an aggressive linebacker, and he looks to be in line for a promotion and more paying time with the defense.

But this spring, it appears as though names like Townsend, Anthony, BJ Goodson and Tony Steward will be able to earn their stripes in a brand new defense.

Secondary

In a secondary that struggled to contain any kind of passing attack, especially the "Air Raid," the secondary hopes to regain its footing this spring, especially with early enrollee Travis Blanks, one of the best defensive back recruits in the nation, signed in Clemson's 2012 class. Blanks has drawn praise from the coaches for his ability, work ethic and football awareness. Blanks has a big frame at 6'1", but coaches will start him out at corner.

This question about the secondary is who will play where. It seems that Breeland will hold onto the starting spot on the outside, while it seems that Xavier Brewer or Martin Jenkins will hold the other outside position, and Blanks is the "star" Nickel corner. But at this point, it appears that Blanks has a good chance of starting on the outside, while Brewer or Jenkins will get the call as the nickel corner.

Tight End

With the departure of Dwayne Allen, Brandon Ford will take the reins as the main go-to guy at tight end. But the question of who will play behind him needs to be answered, as Chad Morris frequently utilized two tight ends in his offense.

Halfway through spring practice, the coaches have praised tight end Sam Cooper, who is thought to be in competition with redshirt freshman Eric MacClain and Darrell Smith. But from what the coaches have said, it would seem that Cooper looks to be the primary backup behind Ford at tight end. That leaves Smith and MacClain for the third spot, and with MacClain having to learn the offense, it seems that Smith has the early edge this spring.