The Clemson Insider continues to 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 boundary cornerback position…
- Cordrea Tankersley, Sr.
Heading into August camp a year ago, those outside the Clemson program weren’t certain Tankersley was a worthy complement to the dominance of Mackensie Alexander. 12 months later, those questions seem ancient history, as the in-state product’s performance from a year ago has inspired supreme confidence he can fill Alexander’s shoes in the boundary.
Due largely to the infrequent pass attempts toward Alexander, Tankersley led the team with five interceptions a season ago. He also broke up nine passes and led all cornerbacks with 48 tackles—more than double Alexander’s total for the season. His stock rose considerably, to the point that Tankersley chose to return to school instead of being a probable early-round selection in the NFL Draft.
The primary question facing Tankersley this offseason isn’t physical at all. It’s about his willingness to assume the “top dog” role in the secondary in the wake of a considerable amount of turnover. He needs to prove he can hold up against the opposition’s best player after seeing his numbers spike last season because so many quarterbacks looked his way by default.
- Marcus Edmond, RS Jr.
Realistically, this spot on the depth chart will likely be filled by another player. If Tankersley should miss time due to injury, Adrian Baker would probably shift over into this role and someone would take his place on the field side. Ryan Carter might be in the mix here, too, although he seems a more natural fit to play at field cornerback.
For the purposes of this exercise, Edmond will fill the role as a taller corner that can hold up against the kinds of receivers that typically play in tight quarters. The veteran could only muster two tackles a season ago with a couple of better players blocking him at both cornerback spots.
Edmond is an unknown commodity among fans and media types because he really hasn’t seen the field that often. Dabo Swinney has raved about the potential he sees in this group, though, and Edmond’s name has made the list more often than not. That’s a good sign for a player that coaches probably would prefer to see sporadically during the upcoming season.
- Denzel Johnson, RS Fr.
Coming off of a redshirt season, Johnson’s role will largely be up to him this season. With relatively little experience ahead of him, the Columbia native could ascend into some kind of role on the field with the defense this season. Regardless, he should be a factor on special teams.
That path to playing time has gotten clearer for Johnson since Kaleb Chalmers is no longer in the picture and Baker will be sidelined with a knee injury until at least late August. Those absences mean Johnson gets a shot to make a good impression day after day in front of his coaches. Things like that matter when you’re in his position.
God Bless!
WQ