By Will Vandervort / Hale McGranahan.
Who said Clemson had no depth at linebacker?
Granted the Tigers will miss the services of Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward, but middle linebacker Ben Boulware leads a young group that comes in with a great resume and a hunger to compete.
Experience is a concern with so many redshirt and true freshmen on the depth chart, but ability and talent should not be an issue for this unit. Also keep in mind Clemson brings in three guys—Korie Rogers, Chris Register and Kendall Joseph—that were highly touted coming out of high school and have had the last year to learn defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ scheme and expectations for his linebackers.
Ben Boulware, Jr., 6-foot, 235 pounds
About: Boulware is without a doubt the most experienced player on this unit. Though he has played as a reserve backer as a freshman and sophomore, his playing time increased dramatically in 2014 as he recorded 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, six quarterback pressures, recovered two fumbles and two passes defended. His best play came in the Russell Athletic Bowl when he took an interception back 47 yards for a touchdown. He has two career starts – one at middle linebacker and one at weakside backer.
Strengths: Technically sound. He always seems to be around the football. He has great instincts and plays with a high motor.
Weaknesses: He sometimes gets to anxious and runs himself out of a play. He also is slow in pass coverage and gets sucked in on play-action passes.
B.J. Goodson, Sr., 6-foot, 240 pounds
About: Goodson started six games in 2014 as the strongside linebacker. He had 34 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback pressures, two passes broken up and three fumble recoveries, including a 24-yard fumble return against NC State.
Strengths: He seems to find a way to get around the football. He is good at playing the run.
Weaknesses: He doesn’t always take the easiest path to get to the running back. He needs to be patient and allow his defensive linemen to eat up guards and tackles so he can flow to the football.
Dorian O’Daniel, So., 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
About: O’Daniel really came on as a redshirt freshman and earned one start at strongside backer. He will challenge Goodson for the starting spot at that position. He was also one of the Tigers’ best special teams players. He had 31 tackles, including a sack and one caused fumble while playing in 12 games.
Strengths: He has great instincts and plays his gaps well.
Weaknesses: He needs to get a little stronger. He was swallowed up at times last year, especially when challenged by a run blocking tight end or a pulling guard.
T.J. Burrell, Jr., 5-foot-11, 215 pounds
About: Burrell has been a primary backup at linebacker the last two years, while also working as a contributor on special teams. He has 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup in 23 career games.
Strengths: Good speed and great awareness of the ball.
Weaknesses: He needs to get bigger and stronger so he can take on tight ends and guards better. He gets eaten up in the wash.
Korie Rogers, Fr., 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
About: Rogers was rated as the No. 67 player and No. 4 linebacker in the nation and No. 5 player in Georgia by Rivals coming out of high school. He redshirted last season and is expected to challenge Boulware for the starting job at middle linebacker. He could also be in the mix on the weakside as well.
Strengths: He is big and strong and has great explosion to the ball.
Weaknesses: He has to learn defensive coordinator Brent Venables scheme and learn to trust what his coach is coaching him to do. Venables expects a lot from his linebackers.
Chris Register, Fr., 6-foot-2, 245 pounds
About: Register also redshirted last season after being a top 300 player coming out of high school in 2014. He was the No. 11 outside linebacker in the country in high school. He is expected to challenge for playing time at strong side and weakside backer positions.
Strengths: He is fast and strong and can cover well in space.
Weaknesses: He needs to trust his instincts more and be more decisive.
Kendall Joseph, Fr., 5-foot-11, 225 pounds
About: Joseph is the most unheralded of the three freshmen linebackers signed in 2014, but he was still rated as the No. 18 middle linebacker in the country according to ESPN. He is expected to challenge for playing time at middle linebacker as well as provide depth at the weakside position.
Strengths: He has good instincts and knows how to get to the football.
Weaknesses: He is undersized for a middle linebacker and can get lost in the crowd of trees up front.
J.D. Davis, Fr., 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
About: Originally a signee with Clemson’s 2014 class, Davis enrolled in January after spending the fall semester at Tri-County Tech as a greyshirt. As a senior at nearby Daniel, Davis had 87 tackles and three sacks.
Strengths: Davis comes from good bloodlines. His father, Jeff, was an All-American linebacker at Clemson. J.D. already has the necessary size to contribute at the college level. He’s also strong enough to hold up as a contributor on special teams.
Weaknesses: Improvements in athleticism and flexibility will allow him to chance to compete for playing time at linebacker.
Judah Davis, Fr., 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
About: Originally a signee with Clemson’s 2014 class, Davis enrolled in January after spending the fall semester at Tri-County Tech as a greyshirt. As a senior at nearby Daniel, Davis had 86 tackles and seven sacks.
Strengths: Davis comes from good bloodlines. His father, Jeff, was an All-American linebacker at Clemson. Like his twin brother, Judah has the size and strength to contribute. He doesn’t shy from contact and has some ability as a pass-rusher.
Weaknesses: If he’s going to stick at linebacker, Davis could improve his flexibility and athleticism.
Chad Smith, Fr., 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
About: Selected for the U.S. Army All-American game, Smith was rated by Rivals as the No. 2 overall player in the state of Virginia. Rivals also ranked him as the No. 56 overall player in the country.
Strengths: Smith might be one of the most athletic players in Clemson’s 2015 class. At The Opening last July, he finished third among all participants in the Nike SPARQ rating. He was productive as a senior, finshing with 90 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
Weaknesses: We might be splitting hairs here, but Smith isn’t the most rugged linebacker that Clemson has signed. He also need to add some bulk.
Jalen Williams, Fr., 6-foot, 215 pounds
About: Williams signed with the 2014 class, but took a greyshirt like the Davis twins. As a senior at Blythewood High School, Williams was named the No. 34 overall player in the state, according to 247. That season, he finished with 101 tackles.
Strengths: Williams loves contact. He’s a seek-and-destroy type of linebacker. Because he wasn’t recruited by many big-time programs out of high school, you can bet he’ll use that chip on his shoulder when he’s in the weight room, at practice or on the game field.
Weaknesses: Williams might be a little under-sized and not as fast or athletic as most linebackers at this level.