Staff Reports
The dog days of summer are upon us. To help pass the time, the staff at The Clemson Insider is picking sides.
Along with publisher Robert MacRae, staff writers Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Hale McGranahan are drafting players from the Clemson roster to fill out their own teams.
Here’s how the seventh round of the TCI Open Draft played out:
William Qualkinbush
Seventh Round (25th overall) Albert Huggins, DL (6-2, 279)
I can’t believe nobody has jumped on this kid yet. So what if he’s a tweener? This guy can flat out play, and he will be a major contributor for years on my squad.
Huggins will probably begin his Clemson career on the edge, with the potential to move inside in the future. His combination of quickness and strength gives a defensive coach some flexibility in terms of even/odd fronts, and his pass rush instincts make him suitable as an end, even if he is a bit bigger than average.
This guy isn’t a freak, a la Vic Beasley, but he’s a gifted football player with room to grow and a desire to be successful. That’s what I want on my team.
Robert MacRae
Seventh Round (26th overall) – Mark Fields, DB (5-11, 190)
With the 26th pick I go back to the defense and once again take a freshman. Mark Fields could be the second best cornerback on campus already.
Fields has the tools to compete for the two-deep from day one. He could be the starter opposite Mackensie Alexander later this season. He can be a shutdown corner for the Tigers.
The All-American will also be a major weapon on returns. With Artavis Scott, Deon Cain and now Fields team Robert has the best roster without question for kickoff and punt returns.
Hale McGranahan
Seventh Round (27th overall) – Richard Yeargin, DE (6-4, 225)
Clemson picked up a much-needed late commitment from Yeargin, who opted to keep things quiet until signing day in 2014. Rated by some recruiting services as an outside linebacker, Yeargin is a quick-twitch, pass-rusher who will fill one of the vacant defensive end spots on my roster.
Not only does he have lots of athletic upside, Yeargin also has a chance to be a team spokesman. He enrolled at Clemson wanting to develop into a leader. Before that happens, we’ll have to see what he does on the field during his first college season.
With Ebenezer Ogundeko’s dismissal from Clemson, Yeargin could be pressed into a pass-rushing role a little quicker than we’d originally anticipated.
Will Vandervort
Seventh Round (28th overall) – Scott Pagano, DT (6-3, 295)
It’s time to get back to the defensive side of the ball and the best guy still on the board on that side of the football is Pagano. The redshirt sophomore will be competing on the two deep at defensive tackle and heads into fall camp as D.J. Reader’s backup.
Pagano has all the tools to be an All-ACC defensive tackle. He has the size, speed and athleticism to get in the backfield and disrupt things. His athleticism allows him to get up field fast and pressure the quarterback as well.
He played in four games as a redshirt freshman last season and recorded 10 tackles and had one quarterback pressure.
Current Rosters
William Qualkinbush
(1) DeShaun Watson
(2) Ben Boulware
(3) DJ Reader
(4) Korrin Wiggins
(5) Ray Ray McCloud
(6) Zac Brooks
(7) Albert Huggins
Robert MacRae
(1) Artavis Scott
(2) Mike Williams
(3) Deon Cain
(4) Christian Wilkins
(5) Jordan Leggett
(6) C.J. Davidson
(7) Mark Fields
Hale McGranahan
(1) MacKensie Alexander
(2) Isaiah Battle
(3) Jayron Kearse
(4) Carlos Watkins
(5) Charone Peake
(6) B.J. Goodson
(7) Richard Yeargin
Will Vandervort
(1) Shaq Lawson
(2) Kelly Bryant
(3) Mitch Hyatt
(4) Wayne Gallman
(5) Milan Richard
(6) Germone Hopper
(7) Scott Pagano