Monday August 13, 2007

Clemson Defensive Backs

Clemson Defensive Backs
The talent level continues to increase at almost every position at Clemson but I am not sure it has increased at one unit more than in the secondary. This staff has recruited extremely well in the secondary and now this group can be considered one of the most talented in the program.
The best battle of the pre-fall camp is at one cornerback where Crezdon Butler and Byron Maxwell are locked in a fierce competition.

Butler had a significant freshman season a year ago. He was a big play guy that was known for big hits and interceptions. Like most true freshmen he had a transition to make but he has become more dependable and more consistent throughout the spring and summer. His strengths include his physical nature and his competitive drive.

Maxwell would have been one of the top three or four players in South Carolina his senior season but a torn ACL forced him to miss his entire senior season. The Charleston native was not completely 100% last year and was forced to red-shirt. He also had another slight scare this spring with his other knee but he is back 100% now and Maxwell is considered one of the top red-shirt freshmen in the conference. He is a big physical corner that has surprisingly good flexibility and cover skills. Maxwell also has a great work ethic according to his strength and conditioning coaches.

I think both of these athletes will play and both will excel. I think both are dependable on and off of the field and both can become two all-conference caliber performers.

Chris Chancellor had offers from national powers like Florida State but Clemson almost did not have room for him. Some questioned his size and strength but he has gotten much bigger and stronger since first arriving at Clemson. No one can question his cover skills though because Chancellor is the top cover corner on this squad.

Haydrian Lewis played as a true freshman but his role last season was reduced to mostly special teams. He has improved but Chancellor has separated from him so his number of snaps has been reduced. Also consider the fact that one of the top corners in the country at the high school level a year ago, Marcus Gilchrist, is pushing Lewis.

Gilchrist is special. There is no better way to say it. Some observers at practice have compared him to former Clemson All-American Donnell Woolford. Gilchrist is a blue print for a stud corner. He has terrific feet and very flexible hips. Gilchrist has a great burst and tremendous top end speed. He also has very good ball skills, perhaps the best of the corners on campus. Simply stated, it is not a matter of if he will be a difference maker but when.

Coty Sensabaugh is a true freshman that did not have an impressive offer list coming out of high school in Tennessee but he has impressed the staff early in his career. He is a very good prospect that could play if needed and might be a special teams force this season but I would not count out red-shirting this season.

Michael Hamlin is a top-notch safety that should be one of the upperclassmen at Clemson that should have All-ACC consideration. Hamlin is a bright player that is very well rounded. He covers well, he is a solid open field tackler, he has good instincts and he has few weaknesses. Hamlin could develop into one of the leaders of this defense and he could entertain the thoughts of leaving school early to enter the NFL draft but right now he has more important things on his mind. Right now he is trying to hold onto his starting position because DeAndre McDaniel is coming on strong.

It seems like every time they roll the ball out there for practice McDaniel makes something good happen. He might have more interceptions than any Tiger since he first arrived in the spring. McDaniel is a special athlete. He is one of those rare athletes that makes things look very easy. When you take a look at the last two classes of defensive backs that have included the likes of Butler, Maxwell, McDaniel and Gilchrist you may be looking at future NFL talent all over the secondary.

Chris Clemens is not as talented as some of the more highly rated defensive backs at Clemson but he is the best open field tackler. Clemens has just been solid. He knows his assignments and just makes the plays that he is supposed to make. One coach told me last year, “He won’t win games for you but he will not get you beat either.”

Chris Russell is the only senior in the secondary. The former JUCO transfer played some last year and is hoping to increase his snaps this season but the transition has not been smooth. Russell will most likely help this team more in the special teams area than anywhere else this season.

Michael Wade moved to safety from quarterback this fall camp and I think he has a chance to be a good player. Wade is extremely competitive and has worked in the weight room as hard as any Tiger. His hard work and competitive drive will help him play much earlier at safety.

Darius Gaither red-shirted last season and has struggled in some areas. At this point he is not expected to be a major contributor in 2007.

In summary, I am not sure there is a unit that has as many NFL prospects at Clemson as the defensive backs. This is a deep and talented group. The only aspect this group lacks is experience.

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