Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson says the Tigers will put up numbers next season that will be historical in nature. He says the goal is to be the best offense in the history of college football.
Can they? I think so.
The Tigers return eight starters from an offense that averaged 38.5 points and 514.5 yards per game in 2015. Those numbers were good enough for 11th nationally in total offense and 16th in scoring.
In the final 11 games, Clemson averaged 554.2 yards per games, while eclipsing the 500-yard mark all 11 times – a school record. The high mark was a 623-yard effort at NC State on Halloween and the low was 512 yards versus Florida State a week later.
Besides Watson, the Tigers return All-ACC running back Wayne Gallman and his school-record 1,527 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2015, while helping a Clemson ground game that averaged 223.0 yards per game.
All-ACC Wide receiver Artavis Scott is also back. He hauled in a team-high 93 passes for 901 yards and six touchdowns. In all, the Tigers return four receivers who had at least 33 catches and five touchdowns, and that does not include Mike Williams, who injured his neck on the opening drive of the season and was out for the year.
Williams was an All-ACC wideout in 2014 after grabbing 57 passes for a team-high 1,030 yards. He averaged 18.1 yards per reception and had six touchdowns as well.
Tight end Jordan Leggett is included in those four pass catchers with at least 33 receptions in 2015. The rising senior hauled in 40 passes for 525 yards, while tying Dwayne Allen’s and Brandon Ford’s record for most touchdowns by a tight end with eight.
On the offensive line, Clemson losses just two starters—Eric Mac Lain and Joe Gore—from a group that was the most improved. All-ACC center Jay Guillermo and All-ACC left tackle Mitch Hyatt will lead a line that allowed just 18 sacks in 2015. All-ACC right guard Tyrone Crowder is also back.
Of course who really makes the Clemson offense go is Watson, who became the first quarterback in FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 1,000 more in the same season. The consensus first-team All-American quarterback and winner of the Davey O’Brien and Manning Awards as the nation’s best quarterback threw for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns, while completing nearly 68 percent of his passes.
Watson also rushed for 1,105 yards and scored 12 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He was a Heisman Finalist—the first Clemson player to finish in the top 3 of the voting—while also earning the Archie Griffin Award as the nation’s best player. He was voted ACC Player of the Year by the sportswriters and the coaches as well as winning ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl MVP honors.
Can this be the best offense in the history of College Football next season? I don’t see what it can’t be. Remember, this will be the same offense that put up 540 yards and 40 points against an Alabama offense that was considered to be the best the game has ever seen by some so-called experts.
By the way, the 540 yards allowed by the Crimson Tide was the most—by 107 yards—they allowed the entire season.
Starters Returning (14)
Offense (9)
Pos Name 2015 Career
Starts Starts
QB Deshaun Watson, Jr. 15 20
RB Wayne Gallman, Jr. 13 22
WR Artavis Scott, Jr. 15 21
WR Hunter Renfrow, So. 10 10
TE Jordan Leggett, Sr. 15 23
OT Mitch Hyatt, So. 15 15
OG Tyrone Crowder, Jr. 12 13
C Jay Guillermo, Sr. 13 14
PK Greg Huegel, So. 14 14
Note: 2014 starter also WR Mike Williams Returns
Defense (5)
Pos Name 2015 Career
Starts Starts
DT Carlos Watkins, Sr. 14 15
DE Scott Pagano, Jr. 9 9
LB Ben Boulware, Sr. 15 17
CB Cordrea Tankersley, Sr. 15 15
P Andy Teasdall, Jr. 15 15
Note: 2014 Starter LB Korrin Wiggins returns at LB
Starters Lost (10)
Offense (3)
2015 Career
Starts Starts
WR Charone Peake 15 23
OT Joe Gore 14 17
OG Eric Mac Lain 15 16
Defense (7)
Pos Name 2015 Career
Starts Starts
DE Shaq Lawson 15 16
DE Kevin Dodd 15 15
LB B.J. Goodson 15 17
LB Travis Blanks 12 30
CB Mackensie Alexander 13 26
SAF Jayron Kearse 14 29
FS T.J. Green 15 16
Lettermen Returning 56
Offensive Lettermen Returning 29
Defensive Lettermen Returning 23
Special Teams Lettermen Returning 4
Lettermen Lost
Offensive Lettermen Lost 12
Defensive Lettermen Lost 12
Special Teams Lettermen Lost 3
If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.
