With the recent developments at linebacker, the position has become a position of need for Clemson in the 2017 signing class.

The rough stretch started earlier this month with the decommitment by five-star Rahshaun ‘Shaq’ Smith. Redshirt freshman Korie Rogers stepped away from the game several days later.

Smith, who’s scheduled official visits to Clemson, Auburn and LSU, could rejoin the Tigers’ 2016 linebacker haul, which includes four-star Tre Lamar and three-star Jamie Skalski.

It remains to be seen if Clemson will try its hand again with Columbia-Heathwood Hall three-star Brandon Hill. The 2016 three-star committed to Duke in March, opting to go with the Blue Devils over his greyshirt offer from Brent Venables.

Clemson has one senior on this year’s roster: B.J. Goodson, the starting middle linebacker. Junior Ben Boulware will start beside him at the weak-side position.

Fellow juniors T.J. Burrell and Martin Aiken play the strong-side and weak-side positions, respectively.

Also a redshirt junior, Travis Blanks will split nickel/Sam duties with redshirt sophomore Dorian O’Daniel.

Redshirt freshman Kendall Joseph is listed as the No. 2 middle linebacker.

True freshman Jalen Williams, who plays on the weak-side, is likely to avoid a redshirt with Rogers’ departure. Other true freshmen on the roster include Chad Smith, J.D. Davis and Judah Davis.

Clemson already has one linebacker committed to the 2017 class in Calhoun, Ga. three-star Baylon Spector. The Tigers landed Spector over Duke and Wake Forest.

Here are a few other 2017 linebackers on the Clemson radar that we’re keeping an eye on:

[autotag]Jordan Anthony[/autotag] – IMG – Bradenton, Fla.

Clemson offered Anthony last November, during his sophomore season at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md. Auburn, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, UNC, Oklahoma, Penn State and Virginia Tech are also listed on his offer sheet. Anthony visited Clemson in June during the Dabo Swinney Football Camp.

[autotag]Justin Foster[/autotag] – Crest – Shelby, N.C.

Clemson was in first on Foster, who picked up the offer in January. Tennessee, UNC, Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Stanford and Virginia Tech have since gotten into the mix. Foster has been to Clemson several times, and he has a sister in school there, so the Tigers have some staying power. Tennessee could be the most serious contender, if not the team to beat. UNC has also positioned itself as an early candidate.

[autotag]Jaden Hunter[/autotag] – Westlake – Atlanta, Ga.

When Hunter released his top-10 earlier this summer, Clemson was listed behind Florida State and LSU — the co-leaders — plus, Georgia and UCLA. Also in the mix for Hunter are Alabama, Louisville, Tennessee, Florida, Miami and Auburn.

[autotag]Avery Roberts[/autotag] – Concord – Wilmington, Dela.

One of the most recent prospects to add an offer from Clemson, Roberts hopes to make his way down to Tigertown for a visit at some point in the near future. South Carolina is also in the mix, as are Penn State and Nebraska.