Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony: Was Clemson the Right Choice?
So by now, the 2011 recruiting classes have been settled in and many programs and even fans have begun to move on to the 2012 recruiting cycle. Yet we would like to take this quick timeout to analyze the choices of Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony, two 5-star linebackers headed to Clemson.
Both second-level defenders are extremely highly rated, and the Tiger fanbase is foaming at the mouth about having two potential future All-ACC-caliber linebackers coming to its roster and defense.
Steward shocked many by signing with Clemson as most, including I, felt he was headed to Florida State. Anthony chose the Tigers over schools like North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Was choosing to don the orange and purple the right choice for both highly touted recruits? Let's see.
Coaching at Clemson
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Dabo Swinney enters the 2011 season with a bit of heat on his seat, but the Tigers do have a buzz this offseason. Swinney is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country who may not have the "celebrity" status yet, but make no mistake—the Clemson head man is a very good coach.
More specifically, Anthony and Steward's position coach at Clemson will be Kevin Steele, who also is the defensive coordinator. Steele is one of the top defensive minds in the college game and knows how to utilize his defensive players and accent their strengths. Steele helped develop Da'Quan Bowers into a potential top 10 NFL draft pick and even has NFL experience.
One has to conclude that this was a fine choice for both in regards to this category, as they get to play for a great head coach in Swinney, while also having their defensive coordinator as their own personal position coach.
The chance to see both players in position meetings and practice on the field will certainly give Steele a leg up on how to deploy them correctly on the field.
Defensive Fit and Scheme
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Steele runs a traditional 4-3 set as his base defense for Clemson. At Alabama, he ran a 3-4, but has had the Tigers in a 40-front with three linebackers (mainly during their base looks) since he's been the defensive chief.
This fits both Steward and Anthony well.
Both linebackers likely will be playing the second-level flanks, yet Steward can play all three linebacker spots in a 4-3 alignment. Based on my evaluations of each of their skill sets, strengths and weaknesses, if both are to be on the field at the same time, then Steward could play the SAM and Anthony could play the WILL, or vice versa.
No, I'm not saying they could start at these positions in 2011, but that is where they likely will end up.
Steward, right now, stands 6'2" and weighs in the 220-pound range, while Anthony is a bit heavier at about 6' 0"and 225 pounds. The defensive fit is a great one as they get to play in a traditional scheme but also possess the speed and athleticism that Steele likes his outside 'backers to have.
Deptch Chart and Competition
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Corico Hawkins, Brandon Maye and Quandon Christian all likely are returning to the Tigers in 2011, and all three were solid starters in 2010. Backups Dan Andrews, Johnny Willard and Spencer Shuey are also probable returners to the roster.
Throw in the other incoming freshman linebacker, Lateek Townsend, and you start to see that Steward and Anthony have some traffic in front of them tying to get on the field. Anywhere you go as a recruit, no matter how highly rated and hyped you are, there will be some competition in college, especially as a freshman.
Steward and Anthony are both extremely confident in their abilities, and also are competitive players. Surely they both checked out the depth chart for Clemson, yet still chose to sign LOIs with the Tigers. If they were afraid to compete, they would have gone to other schools.
Besides, you don't earn 5-star status as a recruit for being a slouch on the field.
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Talent Around Them
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Talk is that the Tigers are stocked with young talent and their recruiting class definitely will bolster that assessment. Swinney and Co. inked a top-10 type of recruiting class, which shows you his recruiting prowess, as the Tigers didn't exactly light it up in the 2010 regular season.
Sammy Watkins, Mike Bellamy, Eric MacLain and Charone Peake give the Tigers a stellar class on offense aolne. Add in Corey Crawford, Cortez Davis and Townsend on defense, and you see that Clemson is on the come.
Tahj Boyd likely will take over as starting QB in 2011, and most of the offensive skill players return. Only one offensive lineman has been lost and the defense likely will replace Bowers by committee.
There is talent at Clemson, and that talent will be there for years to come.
Chance to Win Championships
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The ACC is a pretty good conference and has some top-notch competition year in and year out. Yet Clemson is still one of the better programs in the conference and the Tigers' aspiration to win the ACC starts with winning the Atlantic Division first.
Other big-name schools in the ACC include: Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
The 'Noles have the best incoming recruiting class in the conference, yet Clemson sits right there behind them at the second slot. There is a great opportunity to consistently win at Clemson, and winning the ACC is a more than achievable goal.
With the talent and coaching around them, competing for and winning ACC championships should be the norm during Steward and Antony's tenure as Tigers.
Exposure
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Clemson has a rabid fanbase and playing well in "Death Valley" will get you some shine from around the country. The Tigers have one of the better-known programs in college football and are regularly seen on ESPN and regional ABC Saturday night showcase telecasts.
NFL scouts make sure they trek to Clemson in the fall to get a close look at Tiger players and draft prospects. Exposure will not be hard to receive at Clemson. The program plays in a BCS conference and has a great tradition, a rising head coach and a recent history of competing at a high level.
You have to mark both players in the "correct column" in this category for choosing Clemson, and it is likely a consensus opinion that their choice to be Tigers was an overall great decision as well.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
