Granted Clemson will have to replace eight starters on a defense that ranked 10th nationally in 2015, but that doesn’t mean all the pressure falls on the offense’s shoulders.
“I’m still going to be me. I’m still going to be Deshaun Watson and we are still going to be the Clemson Tigers,” Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “It’s the next man up. That has always been the model for Coach (Dabo) Swinney.”
The Tigers, who ranked 11th in total offense and 16th in scoring offense in 2015, return eight starters from a unit that averaged 38.5 points and 514.5 yards per game. Clemson totaled at least 512 yards in each of their final 11 games of the season, including 540 yards against Alabama in the National Championship Game.
Watson says the Clemson offense will continue to do what it does, while he feels the defense will be just fine, as it always is, under defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
“They will be ready. Coach (Joey) Batson will be doing a great job in the off-season getting those guys prepared mentally and physically. They will do mat drills and Coach will get them ready for spring ball,” Watson said. “We have seven months before the first game. We have a lot of work to do, even the guys coming back from the offensive side. We will just have to see in seven months.”
Clemson must replace defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, linebackers B.J. Goodson and Travis Blanks, cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green.
The good news is the Tigers return Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins and Scott Pagano at defensive tackle, Ben Boulware at linebacker and Cordrea Tankersley at cornerback. Safety Korrin Wiggins will also be back after being a full-time starter in 2014 prior to tearing his ACL in camp last summer.
Safety Jadar Johnson will also be there. He has had extensive experience the last three years on the back end of the defense.
“If someone goes down, like Shaq did in the Orange Bowl, someone has to step up. Austin Bryant, a true freshman, came in and played his butt off,” Watson said. “That’s what it is all about. That’s why we recruit the guys that we recruit. Guys are ready for this moment and they are prepared.”
Besides Watson, Clemson will get back Mike Williams at wide receiver. He missed all of last season due to a small fracture in his neck. Artavis Scott is also back for a third season and so is running back Wayne Gallman and is 1,545 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Receivers Hunter Renfrow, Deon Cain and Germone Hopper return as well as tight end Jordan Leggett. On the offensive line, the Tigers return center Jay Guillermo, left tackle Mitch Hyatt and right guard Tyrone Crowder.
“The sky is the limit. We can be the best ever in college football,” Watson said. “That is one of the things going into spring ball the offensive coaches are going to talk about, being the best ever. But, for us to do that we have to start from scratch, everyone has to be on the same page. We have to get down in the film room with every little detail. We will have to play with a lot of confidence and as one unit.
“I think we are capable of doing that. It is going to take time and over the next seven months we will have time to work on it.”
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.
