Camp is over and the Tigers have turned the focus to preparations for Wofford and the season.  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

Jake Fruhmorgen – The coaching staff has said for several weeks that Jake Fruhmorgen would play this season.  Now we hear that he will not only play, but that he is closing the gap with Joe Gore at right tackle.

Fruhmorgen is ready to contribute at tackle and will see more playing time as the season progresses.  The staff raved about how the freshmen OL class was different than those of the past and Hyatt and Fruhmorgen are showing that early.

The first two games should allow Jake to improve quickly as he gets significant snaps against Wofford and Appalachian State.

Richard Yeargin – Yeargin has had a good August.  He is running second team defensive end the Tigers start to prepare for Wofford.  Clemson needed some players to step up at defensive end and Yeargin is one that answered the bell.

If Yeargin plays well early he will cement his position on the two deep and should see playing time early and often.

Jay Guillermo – When he returned to the team Jay Guillermo had to work his way back up the depth chart.  This week the staff said Guillermo has come back strong and is now on the two’s but closing on the ones.  That is great news for the depth on the offensive line.

Guillermo should see some time with the ones at some point this season, whether at center or at guard.

Garrett Williams – The coaching staff has praised Williams the past two weeks and Friday Dabo announced that Garrett will definitely play this year.  He credited Williams for coming into Clemson physically ready to compete and putting the time in over the summer to learn the offense.

Van Smith – The true freshman hasn’t cracked the two deep at safety yet, but he will play this season according to coach Swinney.  Expect Smith to see some playing time in the first two games and then see more time as the season progresses.

Tyshon Dye – Dye had his best week of practice for the Tigers this week.  His progress makes it easier for the staff to make a decision on Adam Choice.  We will have to see if the ascent continues for Dye, but if it does it will be very good for the offense.

We should see in the first two games if Dye is ready to make a significant contribution this season.

Downs

Adam Choice – Dabo said Friday that they hope to be able to hold Choice out this year and let him get back to 100 percent.  Choice could certainly contribute this year and still could if others are injured, but getting a year off will help him and the team in the future.

Clelin Ferrell– A hand injury has Ferrell on the bubble as far as redshirting this season.  After having a strong camp it looked like Ferrell would likely play as a true freshman, but Dabo said Friday after practice that he is on the bubble.

Ferrell will be a great one for Clemson.  A redshirt year might actually be good for the future of the program, but don’t know that Ferrell will be in Clemson for more that four years.

Alex Spence – Alex lost his battle with walk-on Greg Huegel for the kicking position after Huegel went 6-6 in Thursday’s scrimmage.  The bad news for Spence is that Lakip will join the battle after the Lousville game so Spence will likely be third on the depth chart at that point.