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 11-15 on our list.
11. Jay Guillermo, senior, C: After taking over for an injured Ryan Norton at center in the second game of the season, Guillermo never lost the job. He registered nearly 1,100 snaps while starting the final 13 games of the season. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound center earned All-ACC honors while leading an offensive line that paved the way for 1,500- and 1,100-yard rushers. The Tigers averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 223.0 yards per game, the best average since 1995. Clemson allowed just 18 sacks all year.
12. Greg Huegel, sophomore, K: Huegel led the Tigers with a record 137 points this season, while also making a record 27 field goals. Not bad for a guy who at this time last year was an unknown walk-on just trying to make a roster spot. Like Guillermo, Huegel took his opportunity have Ammon Lakip broke team rules and he did not relinquish it. He finished the year 27-of-32 in field goals as his 27 field goals led the country and his 32 attempts was tied for second. His 84.4 percent rate also ranked 18th nationally and his 1.80 makes per game ranked sixth nationally.
13. Jordan Leggett, senior, TE: Leggett turned the corner in 2015, and by deciding to come back for 2016, he gives the Tigers one of the best tight ends in the country. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end finished third on the team with 40 catches for 525 yards, including a team-high eight touchdown receptions. Leggett’s eight touchdowns tied Dwayne Allen and Brandon Ford for the most touchdowns in one season by a tight end. Leggett was a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2015, and by coming back to Clemson for his senior season, he perhaps will be the frontrunner to win the award in 2016.
14. Deon Cain, sophomore, WR: Cain is technically suspended from all team activities and spring practice, but he will have a chance to return to the team as long as he does all that is required of him after failing a drug test prior to the Orange Bowl. Cain is one of the more explosive players in the ACC and though the Tigers proved they don’t need him, he can make things even better if they have him on board. In the last six games he played in, he hauled in five touchdowns, including big touchdowns against Florida State and South Carolina. With Mike Williams out with an injury, the freshman emerged as Deshaun Watson’s best down field threat. He was third on the team with 582 receiving yards, while averaging 17.1 yards on 34 catches. His five touchdowns finished tied for third on the team.
15. Korrin Wiggins, junior, S: Clemson will get back the services of Wiggins at safety. The junior missed the entire 2015 season after he tore his ACL early in fall camp. Wiggins has played in 25 games in his career, and has started six of them. He played mostly as a safety in 2013, and then was primarily a nickel back in 2014. He was expected to move back to safety before his injury last summer. With Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green bolting for the NFL and Jefferie Gibson transferring to another school, Wiggins’ experience will be needed. Wiggins has four career interceptions and seven passes broken up to go with 54 career tackles.
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.
