One of the biggest concerns heading into spring practice last year was Clemson’s lack of experience and depth at the linebacker positions. Outside of Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson, who were behind those two?
The answer was really no one, and it stayed that way for much of the 2015 season. Luckily for Clemson, there were no serious injuries to Boulware, who played the weakside position, and Goodson, who played in the middle. Boulware did suffer a shoulder injury near the end of the regular season, but he played through it and finished the season second on the team in tackles behind Goodson, who has since graduated and is participating in the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend in Indianapolis.
How much of an impact can Tre Lamar and Shaq Smith make this spring? First off both of these young men come in ready to play. Physically, they are already bigger than Boulware (5-11, 240). Lamar is 6-foot-4 and weighs 240 pounds, while Smith is 6-foot-3 and weighs 242. Smith, a five-star prospect, was rated as the No. 6 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com. He was also rated as the No. 1 outside linebacker nationally by ESPN. Lamar is another five-star linebacker. He was rated as the No. 2 linebacker prospect in the country and the No. 37 player overall by 247 Sports. Both freshmen will have a learning curve under defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables, but having the spring and all summer to learn his defense and what he expects from his linebacker should be beneficial to them and Clemson. Until Venables gets his hands on these two in practice and sees what they can do at the college level, there is no definitive answer on where they will fit in. It is possible they could land at any one of the three linebacker positions.
Where will Kendall Joseph fit in? Nagging injuries in camp and throughout the season held Joseph’s development back in 2015. A backup to Goodson in the middle, he played in just four games at the linebacker position and two on special teams. At 6-foot, 230 pounds, Venables feels like Joseph can still develop into a good linebacker for the Tigers. He will probably enter the spring as the starter in the middle or on the weak side, but the two freshmen will be challenging him throughout the spring and summer for the starting job. Boulware could start the spring at either the middle or on the weakside linebacker positions, and more than likely will play both to see what best fits the other guys.
What about Jalen Williams and Chad Smith? Where do they fit in? Next to Boulware and Dorian O’Daniel at the strongside position, Williams comes back with the most experience, having played in all 15 games and was responsible for making the tackle on Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine on that crucial fourth-and-one play in the Orange Bowl that changed the momentum of the game. But Williams (6-0, 225) is also the smallest in the group. He finished the year listed as a backup to Boulware on the weakside, which is where he will probably stay and compete for playing time. Smith will likely compete in the middle, though he can play weakside as well. Smith redshirted last season and filled in at around 240 pounds to go with his 6-foot-3 frame. The good news for Venables is that he has a lot of options at linebacker this year with a lot of quality players, though a lack of experience will still be a concern.
Linebacker – 10
Ben Boulware (Senior)
Dorian O’Daniel (RS Junior)
Jalen Williams (Sophomore)
Kendall Joseph (RS Sophomore)
Chad Smith (RS Freshman)
Judah Davis (Sophomore)
J.D. Davis (Sophomore)
Tre Lamar (Freshman) ###
Shaq Smith (Freshman) ###
Jamie Skalski (Freshman)
###: early enrollee
Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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.
