By Hale McGranahan.

Clemson must replace the duo of Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward, but there are plenty of highly-qualified candidates to take over the starting middle and weak-side linebacker jobs.

Among the top candidates are the seniors, B.J. Goodson and Kellen Jones.

Goodson was the strong-side starter in 2014. While he could remain there in 2015, we might see him at one of the other two positions this fall. Jones spent most of last season as the backup MIKE and he could compete for time there again, but he’s also versatile enough to play elsewhere.

Ben Boulware is expected to open spring practice as the starting MIKE. He pushed Steward for time at WILL throughout 2014, but was solid as the starter in place of Anthony, who was suspended for the first half of the bowl game. Fellow junior T.J. Burrell will continue to work at SAM.

Dorian O’Daniel is projected to take the starting SAM job if Goodson heads to another position. As a freshman last season, O’Daniel showed flashes of the highly-recruited, four-star prospect Clemson landed with the 2013 signing class.

All of the linebackers from the 2014 haul took a redshirt. Kendall Joseph and Korie Rogers could work into the mix at WILL or MIKE. Assuming Chris Register doesn’t get moved to defensive end, he’ll play MIKE.

J.D. Davis, Judah Davis, Chad Smith and Jalen Williams, all four of whom are already on campus, could follow suit and redshirt this fall.

With two seniors on the roster, look for Clemson to add another pair in February of 2016.

Brandon Hill – Columbia – Heathwood Hall

Brent Venables offered Hill in December after looking over his junior film, joining Duke and Wake Forest. Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt are also expressing interest. Hill will visit Clemson on Saturday for the first Junior Day of the year.

Tre Lamar – Roswell, Georgia

Lamar will also be in Clemson on Saturday for Junior Day. He’s been a regular guest at Clemson, making three trips up to Tigertown in the fall. Clemson could be the team to beat for Lamar, who is also considering Alabama, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Rahshaun Smith – Bradenton, Florida – IMG Academy

Smith’s first visit to Clemson was over the summer for the Dabo Swinney Football Camp. He returned in the fall with his mom for the Syracuse game. Originally from Baltimore, Smith recently transferred to IMG. He’ll join his new teammates T.J. Chase and Saivion Smith on Saturday in Clemson.

Jamie Skalski – Newnan, Georgia – Northgate

Also expected to be in for Junior Day, Skalski will make his first visit to Clemson since he spent one-day in town for camp. South Carolina is one of the top contenders for the three-star linebacker.