Who are the top 25 most important players returning for the 2016 football season? The Clemson Insider begins its countdown as we look at the most important players currently on Clemson’s roster as the Tigers now begin the off-season and work towards spring practice which will begin in March.
Today, we look at numbers 16-20 on our list.
- Hunter Renfrow, sophomore, WR: When Dabo Swinney mentioned Hunter Renfrow’s name after spring and fall practices, sportswriters rolled their eyes. Swinney has been known for talking up walk-ons before, given his soft spot for walk-ons due to his past as one himself. But this time it was not talk. Renfrow emerged as one of Deshaun Watson’s most reliable receivers, catching 33 passes for 492 yards and five touchdowns. In the playoffs, when Oklahoma and Alabama were doubling up Artavis Scott, Renfrow stepped up and led the Tigers with 11 receptions for 147 yards and three touchdowns. In the National Championship Game, he hauled in seven passes for 88 yards and two scores.
- Scott Pagano, junior, DT: Pagano started nine games at defensive tackle and played in all 15 of them. Like all of the Tigers’ defensive tackles he is big (6-3, 295) and athletic. He will again be part of a defensive front that will alternate as many as six tackles. In 2015, Pagano recorded 51 tackles, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and had two quarterback pressures.
- Tyrone Crowder, junior, RG: At 6-foot-2, 330 pounds, Crowder played a big role in the Tigers’ success on offense. Crowder helped pave the way for running back Wayne Gallman and Watson as they combined for 2,600 yards and 25 touchdowns. Though he could still do a better job in pass protection, Crowder did improve. Clemson allowed just 18 sacks this past season. Crowder logged in more than 700 snaps this past year. He played in 13 of the 15 games—sat out two because of injury—and started 13 of them.
- Van Smith, sophomore, S: Smith played in every game, mostly as a special teams player. But he did record a few snaps in the Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma and in the National Championship Game against Alabama. Smith, a sophomore, still needs to get bigger and stronger (6-2, 180), but he has the skills and the talent to be a very good safety. With the departures of Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green to the NFL, plus Jefferie Gibson’s plans to transfer, Smith now becomes an important piece in the secondary and his development in the spring and in the fall will be keys to Clemson’s success on the backend of the defense.
- Andy Teasdall, senior, P: Teasdall’s numbers will not blow anyone away, but they were very efficient numbers. He averaged 39.5 yards per punt, but he held opponents to less than three yards per return and 6.5 per game thanks to a very good hang time. He also was 23 of 24 when attempting to pen his opponents inside the 20-yard line. He had just one touchback all year and that came in the National Championship Game. His longest punt was 57 yards and he had six punts over 50 yards.
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.
