Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at each position on the football team to examine where each player stands right now in his group on the depth chart. We will look back on the 2015 season for analysis and attempt to forecast what the 2016 depth chart might look like in a few months, including early thoughts on the mid-year enrollees. Today, we continue with a look at the tight end/H-back position…
- Jordan Leggett, Sr.
Leggett chose to return for his senior season despite being widely considered one of the top five tight ends, at least, in the upcoming NFL Draft class. In today’s game, Leggett has the build and skill set coaches and personnel types crave at his position. His performance was an integral part of Clemson’s run to the title game a season ago.
Leggett led the Tigers with seven touchdowns in 2015, and he finished third in receptions and fourth in receiving yardage. At one point, he caught at least one touchdown in five consecutive games. Many tight ends are most valuable in the red zone, but Leggett’s versatility means that range extended out into the middle of the field. In fact, six of Leggett’s catches this season went for 25 yards or more, including three touchdowns.
Because of his ability to run routes and catch the ball, Leggett’s bent is to be down the field. His blocking was markedly improved this season, but it can still get better. He can also stand to develop an even deeper understanding of playing the position and an even better relationship with Deshaun Watson heading into his moneymaking year.
- Garrett Williams, So.
This depth chart is crowded, but no other player represented here caught a single pass. Williams pushed 100 snaps in his freshman season after acquitting himself well as an early enrollee in his first spring on campus. He brings the Tigers an element that Leggett does not in short-yardage situations.
Williams isn’t as big as Leggett, but he has a physical presence that makes him a capable lead blocker. In jumbo packages, Williams could often be found on the field as an H-back paving the way for first downs or touchdowns. This is an uncommon role for a true freshman to take on—particularly for a high-achieving team—because weight room time and conditioning time are seen as prerequisites for being a powerful lead blocker.
This will become a common theme, but Williams is set to take over the backup tight end role vacated by Stanton Seckinger. As such, he will need to get better as a route runner and receiver so he can be on the field in a wide range of situations, rather than just as an occasional factor within games.
- Milan Richard, RS So.
Richard has been in the program for two seasons, so this is a big third year for him and his future. He came in accompanied by much hype, but Herschel Walker’s nephew has yet to establish himself in any meaningful way as a part of Clemson’s tight end rotation.
Physically, he compares favorably to Dwayne Allen, a late bloomer in his own right. Without Jay Jay McCullough in the fold any longer, there is an opportunity for Richard to become the second option at the traditional tight end position due to his athleticism. If he can get into the playbook a little more and gain a rapport with Watson during the offseason, Richard could be a major wild card in 2016 as a player who has spent little time on the field but possesses incredible ability.
- Cannon Smith, So.
Many people thought Smith would move to the offensive line—a la Eric Mac Lain—once he arrived on campus. Instead, he spent a little time on the field at tight end, as the Tigers utilized him in similar ways to Williams. On the H-back side of things, Smith appears to be second in line.
He jumped right into the program last offseason, earning much praise from the coaching staff along the way. Smith will probably contribute more prominently on special teams than from scrimmage this season, but he is a good enough blocker to get some time on offense, as well. All-around improvement will help Smith get more snaps, especially in the technical aspects of the game.
- D.J. Greenlee, RS Jr.
Greenlee appears locked into primarily a special teams role. He brings value in that role, and he did appear on the field from scrimmage in a few cases throughout the 2015 season. For depth and experience purposes, he still has value within the program, but it would probably take an array of injuries to allow the local product to vault up the depth chart.
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.
