By Will Vandervort.
Today we continue our countdown on who are Clemson’s Most Important Players of 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. Today we exam the No. 1 player on the list – left tackle Isaiah Battle.
1. Isaiah Battle, 6-7, 275, Jr. – Battle is the most athletic offensive linemen on the team. Started the last four games of the season at right tackle where he solidified the line and made it the strength of the offense. Overall, Battle played 359 snaps in 10 games in 2013 and had 11 knockdowns. He moved to left tackle in the spring and is the projected starter there.
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Why is he vital? It’s simple, he protects quarterback Cole Stoudt’s blindside. Battle, who has all the tools to be an All-ACC left tackle, is the guy responsible for keeping Stoudt upright and giving the senior a chance to make plays down field. With right tackle being the weak link of the offense and with it up in the air as Joe Gore and Shaq Anthony compete for playing time, Battle will have to win a lot of one-on-one matchups since most of the help from running backs and tight ends will more than likely go to the right.
Quotable: “Isaiah Battle is going to be a first-round draft pick one day if we can keep him headed in the right direction.” –Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
Best case: Battle becomes the star everyone thinks he is. After starting the last four games at right tackle last year, he picks back up where he left off and becomes an All-ACC tackle. This should help Stoudt feel comfortable in the pocket where he can make the plays necessary in the passing game to keep defenses honest.
Worst Case: An injury to Battle could be the only thing that could hurt the left side of the offensive line. Anthony is listed as the second-team left tackle heading into camp and after that, the Tigers have just two other players—Eric Mac Lain and Gore—with experience at the tackle positions. Maverick Morris is another guy that could see action, but the redshirt freshman struggled with some things in the spring.
Final word: Battle is the best athlete on the offensive line and one of the best on the team. His success and health will play a big role in the overall success of the team. Not only is he the guy responsible for protecting Stoudt’s blindside, but he is the key to the entire depth of the offensive line. With their being little depth at the tackle positions, an injury could cause a shift of responsibilities up front that will have several guys playing positions they are not accustomed to playing. This is perhaps the main reason why offensive coordinator Chad Morris and offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell had so many guys cross training in the spring.