The 2014 season is winding down as the Tigers make a push for another visit to the Orange Bowl.
Each week TCI will look at the players moving up and those that are moving down in the Up Downs feature. Which players are elevating their game and their position on the depth chart?
Up
Artavis Scott -The freshman sensation earned the starting role weeks ago, but has become the top receiver for the Tigers. Scott leads the team with 53 receptions already this season and when the Tigers needed someone to step up at Wake Forest it was Scott with two touchdowns including a huge one right after the Deacons tied the score in the second half.
Wayne Gallman – There is no more doubt about who the top running back is for the Tigers. With back to back 100 yard games Gallman has delivered when the Tigers badly needed someone to help the sputtering offense. Gallman gets stronger as the game goes along and has been critical to the past two victories.
Ryan Norton – Norton’s poor play lost him the starting job at center for the Wake Forest game, but by the end of the game it was Norton who was leading the offensive line at center. Norton was the one getting the snaps in the right places Thursday night, while Webster struggled. We will have to see if Norton can keep the spot when Guillermo returns, which could be against the Jackets.
Shaq Lawson – Shaq Lawson may have played his best game for the Tigers leading the No. 1 defense in the nation to a victory over Wake Forest. Lawson has elevated his game the past few weeks. If Lawson continues to improve the Tigers will be just fine at one of the defensive end positions next year.
Tyrone Crowder – Tyrone Crowder has seized the opportunity and played well in his recent starts for the Tigers. Crowder’s play as a starter at guard has been critical to the Tigers offense the past few weeks as they have struggled to put points on the board at times. He will only get better as he gains more experience. One of the guard positions is in good hands for the next three years.
Ammon Lakip – Dabo nailed it earlier this season when he compared Lakip’s early struggles to those of Catanzaro. Since the overtime loss at Florida State Lakip has been money. With the wind swirling at BB&T Field Lakip was once again perfect for the Tigers Thursday night. An early season liability has turned into a strength for the Tigers.
Downs
CJ Davidson – With Gallman gaining confidence and putting up 100 yard games, the snaps have been limited for CJ Davidson the past two weeks. Davidson has at times looked like the best back for the Tigers, but two critical turnovers have made it difficult for the staff to put him on the field with Gallman coming on strong. With Tyshon Dye now back on the field, that may continue to limit the snaps for Davidson.
Germone Hopper– Earlier in the season it looked like Hopper was finally going to be a major contributor to the offense. After several drops the past few weeks and the continued development for Artavis Scott, Hopper’s role has diminished significantly. We will have to see if that changes when Watson takes over the QB position, but for now Scott and Williams are the go to receivers for the Tigers.