Clemson Football: 5 Things to Watch in Tigers' 2015 Spring Game

There are championship aspirations for the Clemson Tigers this season, and we can all be the judges of that during Saturday’s spring game. Talking about it only gets you so far, so it will be nice to get a glimpse of what is to come in 2015.

The scrimmage will give us a good look at some of the new faces on both sides of the ball, as well as give us a feel for how some of the position battles may turn out.

Here are five things to watch for during the Tigers' spring game.

5. Quarterback Battle

247Sports

Kelly Bryant will battle for the backup quarterback job this offseason.

There’s no question about who the starting quarterback is. Deshaun Watson will be one of the most exciting players in college football next season, but the Tigers are in the process of finding his backup. With the injury troubles of a season ago, the backup quarterback could be a position of importance this year.

Nick Schuessler is the only one with experience, as the other two signal-callers are true freshmen. Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel both enrolled early, so we will get our first looks at them this Saturday.

Schuessler's experience could be a significant factor. Per Tony Crumpton of TigerNet.com, head coach Dabo Swinney thinks that Schuessler has been impressive this spring. “He has done an outstanding job of leading. He’s made some big-time throws. He is just playing with a sense of urgency that I have not seen from Nick Schuessler since he has been here. “

It will be interesting to see how this quarterback battle unfolds throughout the summer, but the thing to watch Saturday is how far the trio progressed during spring practice.

4. Offensive Line

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Isaiah Battle will be an important piece on the Tigers offensive line this season.

If there’s one position that needs to show more consistency from last season it’s the offensive line. The group looks very similar to the unit we saw last year, so experience is something that works in the Tigers’ favor.

Per Nikki Hood of TigerNet.com, Swinney had some good things to say about the group after Monday’s practice. “Those 10 guys have solidified themselves in there and it has brought some good competition and good consistency in the trenches.”

The defensive line has enough talent to really challenge those guys, so that will be an important thing to watch in this game.

3. Young Stars on the Rise

247Sports

Milan Richard could be one of the young guys to keep an eye on this fall.

The best part about this Tigers roster is that it is still very young. On offense, guys like Milan Richard, Trevion Thompson and C.J. Fuller have shown sparks of greatness, and it doesn’t stop there. The defense also has its share of young talent.

Richard Yeargin, Chris Register and Korie Rogers are all redshirt freshmen who have the potential to make significant impacts this season, not to mention the true freshmen who enrolled early and will take part in Saturday’s spring game.

The spring scrimmage will be a great opportunity to get a first look at a lot of these young players.

2. Competition at the Skill Positions

Tyler Smith/Getty Images

Tyshon Dye will provide some competition for the starting running back job this summer.

The competition at the skill positions will be another thing to watch. Clemson is loaded at running back and wide receiver, so it will be nice to get an early feel for how the depth chart could look.

Wayne Gallman—who finished the 2014 campaign with 769 yards—returns with momentum at running back, and he will be joined by youngsters like Tyshon Dye and Adam Choice. Zac Brooks, C.J. Davidson and Fuller will also provide competition in the backfield.

Mike Williams and Artavis Scott headline the wide receiver group, but the Tigers have plenty of talent behind those two. Charone Peake has a chance to play well if he stays healthy, and Germone Hopper is the breakout star we are waiting on to explode.

1. How Will the Defense Look?

Tyler Smith/Getty Images

Even with so many faces gone off the defense, many familiar faces such as Mackensie Alexander will return.

The Tigers defense will have a much different look to it this season, and that will be on display Saturday. The entire defensive line will undergo remodeling this offseason, along with other positions. With the losses of Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett and Stephone Anthony, can the defense be as strong in 2015?

There’s not much debate about the level of talent that the Tigers will showcase on defense. With guys like Shaq Lawson, Ben Boulware and Mackensie Alexander returning, there’s a chance for Brent Venables’ group to be really good again.

Saturday will be a great time for Tigers fans to see how these new faces look in live action.