Clemson football is entering the 2018 spring game with some questions to be answered. What’re the five biggest questions facing the Tigers?
The atmosphere at Clemson since Dabo Swinney took over is nothing short of electric. The Tigers have been playing some of the best football of anyone over the past decade and they’re coming off yet another College Football Playoff appearance in 2017 and 12-2 overall finish.
Two years removed from a national title victory over Alabama, the Tigers have some work to do in order to get back to the championship game, but they’ll be favorites to return to the playoff in 2018.
Florida State could become a major challenger in the ACC along with Miami, but the Tigers will be favored to win the conference this season. Swinney returns a solid group with a chance to showcase potential to fans during the spring game on April 14.
What are the five biggest questions facing Clemson this spring?
5. Which incoming freshmen will have the biggest impacts?
Let’s face it, Clemson has a number of incoming freshmen who are enrolled early and who could start at just about every other school in the conference in year one.
The most obvious name that comes to mind is Trevor Lawrence. The five-star gunslinger is the No. 1 recruit in the nation and if it weren’t for Kelly Bryant and Hunter Johnson, Lawrence would likely be starting. Zerrick Cooper transferred out of the program to give himself a better chance to start elsewhere as this quarterback room is loaded with talent.
Fellow five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas from IMG Academy will have to fight for snaps on that loaded defensive line, but he has the talent to stand out this spring. Five-star end KJ Henry and four-star tackle Josh Belk will be right there with Thomas among freshmen who could impress on the defensive line.
Five-star tackle Jackson Carman could push for starting snaps on the offensive line but he may be forced to wait to play his natural position until Mitch Hyatt graduates.
Don’t sleep on five-star wide out Derion Kendrick, either. The Tigers will be replacing Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud this spring and Kendrick could be an option.