By Heath Bradley.
TheClemsonInsider.com breaks down the keys to success for the 2012 defense. One of the keys for the defense will be improved play from the Tiger linebackers.
New defensive Coordinator Brent Venables is in town, and with his arrival will come a change in defensive scheme for the Tigers. Venables intensity and new ideas will hopefully spark a linebacker corps that could be the key to Clemson’s defensive success in 2012. In 2011, Clemson starting linebackers combined for 191 tackles, Corico Hawkins led them with 80 tackles. Hawkins 80 tackles were 3rd best on the team behind safety Rashard Hall, and defensive end Andre Branch.
With the Clemson defense losing three starters from the 2011 defensive line, the veteran linebackers will be expected to take a larger leadership role on an otherwise young defense overall. Hawkins, Willard, and Christian have combined for 11 seasons in the Clemson program entering 2012. Senior Corico Hawkins, who has appeared in 39 games in his career, starting 25, has recorded 170 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and five sacks in his three previous seasons. Jonathan Willard, who is a redshirt senior has appeared in 40 games for the Tigers, starting 13 in his career. In those 40 games he has recorded 112 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Quandon Christian, a redshirt junior from Lake View, South Carolina is the third returning starter. In 2011, Christian recorded 36 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and intercepted one pass. In his career he has appeared in 27 games for the Tigers, starting 14.
While the veteran linebackers received the majority of the snaps in 2011, there were a couple of freshmen that also made an impact on the field. Stephone Anthony made the biggest impact of the freshmen linebackers, appearing in 13 games, starting three. In those 13 games as a true freshman, Anthony recorded 32 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 caused fumbles. The biggest play of Anthony’s season came when he forced a fumble from Virginia Tech Logan Thomas on the Hokies first play from scrimmage in the ACC Championship game. Clemson went on to win the game 38-10, for their first ACC Championship in 20 years. The second true freshman linebacker to make an impact was Lateek Townsend. Townsend, from Bennettsville, South Carolina, made his impact on special teams. Townsend only appeared in three snaps on defense on the season. However, he was a force on special teams, recording 16 tackles.
2012 will be a season that will expect to see some new young faces also fighting for playing time in the new defensive scheme at linebacker. Anthony, Townsend, and redshirt freshman BJ Goodson will fight veterans Hawkins, Christian, Willard, Shuey, and Parker for playing time at the three linebacker positions. Tony Steward, who suffered his second ACL injury in as many seasons in 2011, will be the wildcard; his rehab speed and health will determine his plans for 2012. Clemson will likely have its deepest linebacker corps in recent history in 2012. If these linebackers can quickly learn the system, they will potentially hold the key to the success of the Clemson defense in 2012. New defensive coordinator Brent Venables also serves as the linebackers coach, as a result expect the linebackers to be an extension of Venables on the field in 2012.