Clemson Football: The Battle for the Starting Quarterback Job

Clemson football lost their Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson quarterback to the NFL. Who will be the next man up to guide the team through the 2017 season?

The Clemson Tigers have yet to name a starting quarterback as Week One of the college football season approaches. The Tigers have to replace Deshaun Watson, running back Wayne Gallman and wide receiver Mike Williams to reload the offensive cupboard. The way the Tigers have recruited in the past, they shouldn’t have much to worry about.

On paper, it looks like Watson didn’t play a huge role in the Tigers offense. However, the Clemson offense averaged 333.9 passing yards per game in 2016, seventh in the FBS. The offense averaged 503.7 total yards per game, 12th in the FBS, last season as well. That won’t be an easy feat to repeat.

The quarterback battle for the Clemson Tigers entering the fall has three competitors: Kelly Bryant, Hunter Johnson and Zerrick Cooper. The good news for them is there’s enough left from the 2016 offense that the transition should be smooth.

Wide receivers Hunter Renfrow and Deon Cain are solid receiving options in the passing game. Renfrow caught 44 receptions for 495 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2016. Cain had 38 catches for 724 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season. He led the team with 19.1 yards per reception.

Dabo Swinney has been hesitant to name a starter and with good reason. Clemson lacks true experience at quarterback. Watson had eight games of experience, 1,466 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions under his belt before he became starter in 2015.