By Will Vandervort.

When people begin to discuss Clemson’s running backs, the talk usually turns to the four horsemen that are expected to share the carries this coming season.

D.J. Howard, Zac Brooks, C.J. Davidson and Wayne Gallman are neck-and-neck in the battle to replace Roderick McDowell as the starting running back and all four are expected to carry the football frequently this year, especially early in the season.

But there could be a fifth guy thrown into the mix by mid-season. Most people have already counted redshirt freshmen Tyshon Dye out for the 2014 season, but that could be a mistake to do so.

Clemson running backs coach Tony Elliott thinks the Tigers could have the 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back in the mix by mid-season.

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“He is doing well. Obviously, he had two severe injuries, but he is coming back,” Elliott said.

Dye suffered a torn Achilles tendon during winter workouts that kept him out of spring drills in March and April. It was the second injury-related setback for the redshirt freshman since he walked on campus last July.

The Elberton, Ga., native suffered a back injury in fall camp last summer, which required surgery and forced him to sit out the entire 2013 campaign.

“The biggest thing with him is that you worry about where he is mentally,” Elliott said. “What is his mental health going to be? I tell you what, that young man has been impressive. Just to see the attitude that he has had as he has gone through the adversity and the way he has performed in the class room, he is on track.

“I’m not sure how much we will get him in camp, but we know he will be out there. He is out there with the guys this summer. He is running around, taking mental reps and taking what physical reps he can, but he still has a little bit of work to do.”

Clemson is optimistic Dye can return by the first of October, which would be in time for the Oct. 4 home game against NC State. Dye is the running back offensive coordinator Chad Morris has coveted in his offense since he got to Clemson four years ago – a fast, bruising back that can carry the heavy load, but also have the speed and agility to break off big runs, too.

“Initially, the first part of the season, I don’t think we will have the opportunity to have him,” Elliott said. “But I think by mid-season we are hoping to be able to get him in there and turn him lose. We want to see what he can do.”

Dye was one of the top running backs in the country coming out of high school when he rushed for 1,561 yards and scored 21 touchdowns on 212 carries as a junior. Injuries limited him during his senior season, but he still ran for 817 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on 95 carries, while playing in only seven games.

“The big thing is you want to make sure you bring him back at the right time. You don’t want to rush him,” Elliott said. “He has gone through some serious injuries and had some major surgeries. Also, from a mental health standpoint, you want to make sure his confidence is where it needs to be, you don’t want to bring him back too early.”