By Will Vandervort.
Today we continue our countdown on who are Clemson’s Most Important Players for 2014.
Don’t get this confused by who are the best. Some of these guys on the list might be the best at their respected positions, but this list concentrates on which players are the most important to the Tigers’ overall success this coming fall.
This list takes into account Clemson’s strengths and weaknesses, depth at certain positions and the importance at each position.
4. Wayne Gallman, 6-1, 200, Fr. – He came to Clemson because he was going to be given the chance to be a running back instead of a linebacker which is what most schools wanted him to play. Gallman took advantage of his opportunity last summer and had a really good fall camp, surprising both offensive coordinator Chad Morris and head coach Dabo Swinney. There were serious discussions on playing him last season. He followed a good camp with a great spring where he moved up the depth chart and should receive a lot of playing time. He led all runners with 61 yards in the spring game and averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
Why is he vital? Gallman showed in the spring game that he has very good vision and can cut back against the grain. He also displayed a little power and he has the potential and body frame to grow into the big running back Morris covets in his scheme.
Quotable: “He is going to be, and I have said it from the get go, a very punishing runner. He is a guy that can start and stop. He is very violent when he runs.” –Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris
Best case: By the third or fourth game of the season, Gallman emerges as the Tigers’ go-to running back. He eventually eclipses the 1,000-yard mark and the Clemson running game has its best year yet under Morris’ guidance.
Worst Case: Gallman never really takes off and he is used as the third or fourth running back in a committee of running backs where no one player shows he is better than the rest. Overall, Clemson still runs the football okay, but there is no clear cut leader or consistent offensive weapon in the group.
Final word: Gallman will be given the opportunity in fall camp to prove what he can do. If he continues to improve like he did in fall camp last summer and this past spring, then there is a good chance he will emerge as Clemson’s best back. It also does not hurt that he has soft hands. He caught two passes for 28 yards in the spring game, including a long of 15 yards. Swinney and Morris were very high and surprised by his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield in the spring.