Suddenly that wealth of talent at running back, receiver and tight end seems extravagant with the paltry numbers at linebacker.

Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson are the unchallenged starters. Beyond them a collection of eager, relatively raw players that already had defensive coordinator Brent Venables wistful for the next two recruiting classes.

The numbers thinned when redshirt freshman Korie Rogers told Swinney he decided to give up football. A top 100 prospect at Buford High in Flowery Branch, Ga., he had been two-time all-state and played in the U.S. Army All-American game.

The absence of depth became glaring during Saturday’s scrimmage when Boulware was thrown off the field early for fighting.

“Don’t have many guys,” Venables said, calling it “an emergency.”

Dabo Swinney spun it differently.

“I like my bananas real ripe, nice and yellow and a little brown on them. That’s when they’re really good,” Swinney said. “We’ve got some green ones out there, but it’s going to take a little time. In three weeks they’ll be better.”

For the short term, Martin Aiken moved from end to linebacker, which seemed to be a good choice. Undersized as an end (6-2, 225), he came through the football pipeline from Bamberg-Ehrhardt where smash-mouth ball is a lifestyle.

Should Venables look for additional help he might consider Chris Register and D.J. Greenlee who were productive high school linebackers.

There are other possible options with the depth in the secondary, particularly at safety. Venables could tweak the scheme, as he’s been known to do so, and exploit the depth at safety/nickel.

Regardless, Clemson needs Goodson and Boulware to remain healthy and on the field until Aiken catches on and guys like Kendall Joseph gain some experience.

Losing Boulware, even during a scrimmage, was discouraging for a player counted on for his leadership as much as his fire and savvy.

“These guys (are) tired of each other,” Swinney said. “They’re together all day every day and they’re beating each other up and they’re ready to hit somebody else.”

Another position to monitor the final three weeks of practice, perhaps more closely than ever, would be the competition at kicker where Swinney thought he had a quick solution to replacing Ammon Lakip.

Swinney said they were “really poor” during the scrimmage, “inconsistent to say the least.”

Had Lakip not been suspended following his arrest in June for cocaine possession it probably wouldn’t be an issue.

And though he will rejoin the team once classes begin Wednesday, Lakip faces further team discipline and won’t play probably for the first three games.

“Thought we were in good shape,” Swinney said, “but today they didn’t handle the little difference in environment.”

Wonder how accurate Adam Choice would be from the 40?