Clemson Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
The reigning 2016 national champion, Clemson football, returns to action in a month. Dabo Swinney has to retool if he thinks he will repeat in 2017.
The 2016 Clemson football team had no holes in their team coming into the season. Every position on the field seemed to be locked and loaded for that season. And we saw what happened, but this year is a little different. There is a lot of competition for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart this year.
There are two sides to the competition coin. One side is says you have a lot of great talent and it doesn’t matter who you start. While the other side says, it’s early-August and we still don’t have a clear-cut starter and that breeds doubt. And Clemson fans don’t want to see doubt after a tremendous 28-2 record over the last two years.
While coaches want to see competition, fans want to see clarity on the depth chart. Let’s take a look at the projected 2017 two-deep depth chart for the Clemson Tigers.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Mitch Hyatt (LT), Sean Pollard (RT)
Backups: Tremayne Anchrum, Blake Vinson
In 2015, Mitch Hyatt was the first freshman to start as a true freshman since the 1980s. Since then, he has been a staple of the Clemson line. Last year, just like his freshman season, he earned All-ACC honors as an offensive lineman.
His other starting tackle, sophomore Sean Pollard, also started as a freshman. Last year, he took over starting duties before the Syracuse game last season. He earned and shared offensive rookie with backup tackle Tremayne Anchrum.
Other backup Blake Vinson comes in as a true freshman and probably will not see too much playing time because they have Anchrum as the primary backup for Hyatt and Pollard.
Starting guards: Taylor Hearn (LG), Tyrone Crowder (RG)
Backups: John Simpson, Maverick Morris
Taylor Hearn is the starting left guard and has been since the first game last year against Auburn. And in that Auburn game, he was awarded the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. During the 2016 season he graded out at 90 or above three times.
His fellow starting guard, Tyrone Crowder, is the most veteran of all of the linemen. Crowder has started over 25 games in his first three years as a Clemson Tiger. And in 2015 he earned third team All-ACC. In 2016, he upped his play to first team All-ACC.
The backups sophomore John Simpson and senior Maverick Morris have seen a bunch of playing time and can fill both guard positions. Morris can also step in at tackle, if need be.
Starting center: Justin Falcinelli
Backup: Gage Cervenka
Justin Falcinelli was Jay Guilermo’s backup in 2016 and 2017 will take over his center position. Over the years Falcinelli has seen snaps at both center and guard.
And his backup in 2017 will be Gage Cervenka, a former defensive tackle.