Monday July 28, 2008

Clemson Linebackers / Ryan Update

Ryan Update 7-28
Ryan had another good weekend. He had more friends and family stop by to visit and his spirits are very high. Ryan's motor skills seem to be improving especially his speech. He is talking more clear every day and his speech is getting quicker each day.

Prayers are the thing that has kept Ryan going and you prayers are needed and appreciated. Thanks so much.

Clemson Linebackers
There was a time where Clemson was referred to as "Linebacker U." That is not the case this year as the Tigers have to deal with the graduation of Tremaine Billie and Nick Watkins, the dismissal of Cortney Vincent and the loss of Antonio Clay.

This group of linebackers has some talent but lacks experience and depth. There are question marks at all three linebacker positions.

Brandon Maye is listed as the starting middle linebacker heading into his red-shirt freshman season. Maye is a tough, physical player that plays with a lot of emotion. In some ways he reminds me of former Tiger great and current NFL linebacker Anthony Waters. May is a big backer that continues to grow into his frame. The staff likes his instincts and his motor. They do not know how he will react in a game but the tools are there. I would expect some growing pains here but the upside for Maye is very encouraging.

Josh Miller is entering his senior season and has been a slight disappointment. Coming out of high school, Miller chose Clemson over Florida State. He is a high character kid that I thought would have been a starter by now. I have never really understood Miller not red-shirting and it seems like he would have benefitted from a red-shirt season. He does not have great instincts but works extremely hard to overcome those. Miller could be a key at Mike or has the ability to move if the staff needs him to fill in at another spot.

Kavell Conner is perhaps the most experienced of the Clemson linebackers. He has played more meaningful snaps than any linebacker on campus. Conner has impressed the staff with his work habits and his attention to detail. This is a former high school running back that made a nice transition to linebacker and this should start to show more in the upcoming season.

Stanley Hunter will begin to push Conner for the starting spot at the WILL linebacker this fall. Hunter missed some of his first spring with a medical condition but he should be back 100% in camp. Hunter is making the transition to a new position because he played defensive end in high school but he has tremendous closing speed. Hunter is also trying to come back after not playing football last year as he was getting qualified in the classroom. However, this is one of the most productive linebackers on campus. Hunter is just a football player. He just makes plays. I love his closing speed and his ability to make the big play. I think you will see Hunter on the field early and he will be a play maker on this defense and special teams.

DeAndre McDaniel still has his legal issue hanging over his head but at this point I don't see that being a big factor unless new information arises. He also could play safety but the staff was satisfied with his progress at SAM. McDaniel gives the Tigers more speed at the position and they like how he can cover in pass coverage. Perhaps the biggest thing that happened to the linebacking corps this spring was this move because it created competition at the position.

Scotty Cooper showed some signs of great things as a freshman but he looked like a freshman at times too. Cooper needs to become a better tackler in the open field. He also needs to become more disciplined but that will come with experience. He was injured in the spring and he did not have the kind of spring some expected. I will be interested to see how Cooper reacts with completion here.

Jeremy Campbell is not as physically gifted as some of the linebackers on campus but he overcomes some of that with a good work ethic. Campbell is a bright player who cross trained at both SAM and WILL. He is dependable and fundamentally sound. Campbell is solid but not spectacular. He will also be a major part of the staff's plans on several special teams.

Tarick Rollins may be a candidate to red-shirt this fall as he continues to recover from his knee injury from his high school senior season. He came to Clemson I the spring and may get a chance to work some with the special teams but many believe he could benefit from a red-shirt season.

Jonathan Willard is a tough linebacker that has really improved his body since last season. He was a big-time wrestler in high school and his work ethic shows from that wrestling background. Willard might be forced into action at MIKE and could also see action on special teams.

Daniel Andrews was recruited as a safety but could move to linebacker full-time this fall. He is a physical safety who could also be a special teams demon. Andrews reminds us of a smaller version of Chad Diehl in that he brings a physical nature the field. I think we could see Andrews avoid a red-shirt season this year but it would most likely be as a special teams performer.

This group of linebackers brings with it some talent but many more questions than answers heading into fall camp. It does help to have such experience on the defensive line and in the secondary. The Tigers should be very good on defense in 2008 but going from good to great will depend on the development of this inexperienced group of linebackers.

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