Around the Horn with TCI
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net September 4, 2015

The  TCI staff of Ed McGranahan, Hale McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Robert MacRae go Around the Horn to answer some of the questions surrounding Clemson athletics and college football.

Which player was the biggest surprise in the preseason for Clemson?

Robert MacRae – There are several players that could be the choice here, but I will have to go with Greg Huegel.  When Lakip’s suspension was announced we all quickly focused on the battle between Alex Spence and Christian Groomes.  Coach Swinney didn’t even know his name early in camp and after a strong scrimmage performance where he went 6-6 Dabo said he could then spell his name but went on to spell it incorrectly.

When the Tigers take the field against Wofford the no-name kicker will get his first start for the Tigers.  If Huegel can get the job done the first three games including a crucial road game with Louisville, all Clemson fans will know his name.  His performance could be the difference in a win or loss at Louisville.

Hale McGranahan – I’ll swing for the low hanging fruit: Korie Rogers.

Much of this is based on the type of player I thought he was going to be coming out of Buford High School, one of the premier programs in the state of Georgia.

Clemson snagged him right out from under Georgia’s nose. It was a real coup from the heart of SEC country, one that fired up a lot of Clemson recruitniks. I thought he had stud weak-side linebacker written all over him. So did a lot
of people.

When a former four-star prospect ups and quits playing football, people wonder what’s up. I’m no different. Rogers declined to return any calls or texts I sent his way. One day, I hope to write the story about why he walked away from
what looked to be a promising career. I wouldn’t really mind reading it either.

Ed McGranahan – Since we’ve not seen any real action this is based purely on what we knew when practice began and what we think we know virtually hours from kickoff.

There’s not a clear answer because it would be easy to pick Greg Huegel, who virtually came out of nowhere, and even running back C.J. Fuller, who climbed over Tyshon Dye and Adam Choice on the depth chart.
My selection, however, is freshman tight end Garrett Williams who –from Day One — was part of virtually any conversation of substance with the offensive coaches.
Apparently he is  the best blocker at the position and has the potential to grow into a well-rounded player.
Considering Rod Byers was the best blocker when the 2014 season ended and was returned to the defensive line, Williams has changed the face of Clemson tight ends in a matter of weeks.
Will Vandervort – The biggest surprise for me was the fact Tyshon Dye was never a factor in the running back competition in camp. Right now he is listed at No. 3 on the depth chart behind Wayne Gallman and C.J. Davidson. I did not think he would overtake Gallman in camp, but I was convinced he was better than Davidson and he would be the No. 2 guy heading into the first game. Dye lost 13 pounds since last season when he was trying to get back in football shape. He said he feels the best he has felt since he came to Clemson in 2013, but he still has not shown the coaches enough to be listed as the No. 2 guy on the depth chart. There is a reason why Gallman is the clear starter heading into the Wofford game because the coaches were hoping Dye would be able to compete with him and push him for the job, and when that did not happen, Gallman literally ran away from the competition. The coaches are still hopeful Dye will get better as the season goes along and will become a factor in the offense.