Each season brings renewed optimism and a new set of faces and names that stimulate the imagination.

Deon Cain, Ray Ray McCloud, Mitch Hyatt and Christian Wilkins represent the new wave, joining Watson, Scott, Dye, Lawson, Boulware and Alexander as the impact players on a team flirting with the preseason Top 10.

However, there are five players Clemson fans should track this fall, guys that perhaps slipped off the radar either while waiting for “their turn” or dealing with individual setbacks.

All were once part of a new wave, teasing with their potential and promise. Savvy fans know them, and in time this season they may become household names:

1. WR CHARONE PEAKE: When Peake was signed four years ago he was easily one of the nation’s 100 top recruits. Most recruiting services rated him evenly if not slightly ahead of Sammy Watkins. Injuries tripped a promising career limited him to 36 games since his freshman season (2011). Peake’s impact has been modest. “He’s in great shape,” Coach Dabo Swinney said the other day. “His mind, confidence – he has no knee brace and is flying. He’s a guy that nobody’s really talking about outside of Clemson folks, but I hope come November everybody’s talking about Charone Peake because he’s capable of being a guy like that. He’s a big-time talent.”
2. RB ZAC BROOKS: Zac Brooks was preparing to debut as Clemson’s featured back a year ago when a foot injury set off a slowly developing chain of events that resulted in redshirt freshman Wayne Gallman leading the team in rushing. The run game should be substantially better this season with a healthy Deshaun Watson and a depth chart at least five deep, but Brooks returns with no guarantees. Gallman also returns as do talented sophomores Adam Choice and Tyshon Dye, senior C.J. Davidson and redshirt freshman C.J. Fuller. Swinney figures he’ll need them all at some juncture, but he counts on Brooks for his athleticism and versatility as well as the maturity and leadership. “He’s a grinder, and he wanted to grind through the spring and he did,” Swinney said. “He’s had an outstanding summer. If he’s healthy, Zac will be a factor for us. We know what he’s capable of doing. There’s been a flash here or there. He’s just got to be able to stay out there.”
3. TE JAY JAY MCCULLOUGH: Suspended last November for a violation of team rules, McCullough rejoined the roster on April 1, and began to work his way back into the mix at tight end, another position rich in talent. With as much as talent as anybody at the position McCullough could emerge as a wild card if he’s successful. And Swinney wants him to succeed. He needs McCullough to show him. “I’m not really counting on him because I’m not going to get my hopes up,” he said. “But if he will take the next step and make up his mind to be a fully committed player, he will be a better player because he has great tools. I am cautiously optimistic that he has turned that corner. We’ll see.”
4. LB B.J. GOODSON: Signed out of tiny Lamar in 2011, Goodson was considered a stealth recruit by former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele who raved about his vision, instincts and intelligence. Overshadowed by Ben Boulware’s big personality, Goodson has a chance to fulfill those expectations during his seniors and make a little noise calling signals. All along there have been signs with his play on special teams and his nose for the ball.
5. S TRAVIS BLANKS: Blanks came to Clemson ready to play, and as a freshman started eight games to earn freshman All-America honors. His impact was more evident as a starter during his sophomore year until a torn ACL ended his season prematurely. He chose to sit out 2014, too, to extend his recovery, but reinjured the knee during bowl practice last December. After missing spring drills he returned at full speed over the summer. When healthy he’s an impact player on defense on par with Artavis Scott on offense, and when teaming up with Mackensie Alexander and Jayron Kearse, he gives Clemson a trio of big-talents in the secondary.