Clemson Football Preview: What's at Stake in 2009?

Clemson fans must have a short memory, because expectations are high in Tiger Town yet again as the season opener against Middle Tennessee approaches. I wouldn’t fault them, however. With the young stars and returning talent, there is no reason to count the Tigers out as ACC title contenders. 

But looking back, it’s hard to give much preseason glory to this program. It seems so often lately that high hopes are slashed by shortcomings and missed opportunities. Everyone remembers the blowout opener to unranked Alabama, and despite tremendous talent, Clemson hasn’t taken the ACC title in 17 years. 

Let’s take an honest look at what to expect this fall.

Coaches

Going into this season, a new group of coaches may be the biggest concern, but also a source of excitement. New head coach Dabo Swinney has come in with a new approach, motivating players to go “all in” at practice and bringing the fans closer to the team, using events such as the “Tiger Walk.”

He brought in a wealth of knowledge on the defensive side of the ball, with the hirings of Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator and Dan Brooks to coach the defensive line. The main concern right now is at offensive coordinator, where former quarterbacks coach Billy Napier has taken the position.

Napier is motivated like Swinney, but he is only 29 years old, leaving some fans questioning the move. Either way, change has happened, and fans are expecting more aggressiveness than last year's conservative offense under Rob Spence.

Offense

Clemson will most likely enter the season unranked and with tremendously lower expectations on a national level than last fall. But Clemson’s weak point last season should see much improvement. 

All five starters return to the offensive line, which should give bigger holes to speedy running back C.J. Spiller and provide more time for whoever ends up lining up under center. The line is the core of an offense, and it just might be what this team needs to get over the hump.

The spring was an all-out competition between redshirt sophomore Willy Korn and redshirt freshman and baseball star Kyle Parker. But as spring practices closed, Parker stole the show in a tremendous performance at the annual orange and white game.

Though balancing football and baseball in a heavy loaded spring, Parker gave a convincing presentation as to why he deserves the starting role. But I wouldn’t count out Willy, or even freshman Tajh Boyd, for that matter. 

Korn went through reconstructive shoulder surgery and is just now feeling like the athlete he knows he is. He is a greater threat on his feet than Parker, and Swinney is calling the competition between the two dead even. 

Boyd is also vying for the starting role, but he is coming off ACL surgery. He’s got a tremendous arm and, if healthy, could give Kyle and Willy a run for their money. All three are athletic and much more mobile than previous quarterback Cullen Harper.

Inexperience is prevalent, but expectations are high again at quarterback this fall.       

Clemson lost star running back James Davis but shouldn’t be hurting in the running back position with the tremendous talent returning.

Spiller, or as Dabo called him, “Clemson’s first 10-star recruit,” is returning and holds the highest expectations of any player. He should be the leader of this offense and could have a breakout season with a stronger offensive line and leading role in the position. There is also a wealth of young talent in redshirt freshman Andre Ellington and slimmed down Jamie Harper.

Probably the biggest area of offensive concern is the wide receiver position. Jacoby Ford is the only returning starter, and he is going into the summer with a strained groin. He has had injuries in the past, and it is very important for him to stay healthy this year. 

Xavier Dye should have more of an impact this fall and freshman Bryce McNeal may be able to come in and make a presence right away. The wideout group is mostly inexperienced, and if this team is to have success in the air, someone needs to step up so that pressure is taken off Ford.

Defense

Coach Steele comes to Clemson this year inheriting tremendous talent and eight returning starters. Expectations are high for him to perform, as he led Alabama’s stout defense to a top five ranking in 2008.  

Steele runs a more aggressive defense than former DC Vic Koenning, and with the athleticism Clemson has, they should do well on this side of the ball. Expectations are high for former five-star recruit sophomore Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers showed glimpses of stardom as a true freshman and should have a greater impact this fall. 

Pressure is also on defensive end Ricky Sapp. Sapp is coming off surgery but should be ready to go against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 5. 

In the secondary, star safeties Mike Hamlin and Chris Clemons have moved on to the NFL, but top cornerback Chris Chancellor returns, and with DeAndre McDaniel moving to his more natural safety position, the secondary should thrive.

Clemson returns all starting linebackers this fall, and this group should be revamped under Steele. Steele has a history of putting together a fierce group of backers, and with top tackler Kavell Conner returning, the group will be a force.

With a strong defensive line, veteran linebackers, and an athletic secondary, the defense could be the backbone of this Clemson team. This group ranked 18th in the nation last year and should be improved. Let’s see what Steele can do.

Overall, expectations are high again for Clemson fans, but this isn’t the feared team last year’s was going into last season. The pressure is on a few young coaches, but they have the support of the Clemson community.

This should make for an exciting season, and Clemson once again has the talent to do great things. It’s the leadership and coaching that need to be proven.