When the term “most important” is given when describing a ranking of one player over another, it does not necessarily describe who the best players are on a team. Instead, it tells us the main or most important part of the team, without which it cannot really exist.
In other words, could Clemson have reached the College Football Playoff Championship Game last year without Deshaun Watson? And would they have had him there had those other “important” players had not been in place either.
Who are Clemson’s “Most Important Players” for 2016? We at The Clemson Insider have our own ideas, and today we reveal who is No. 11.
Kendall Joseph
Let’s face it, Clemson is loaded at linebacker. Ben Boulware is back for his senior season and as one of the best linebackers in the ACC. Dorian O’Daniel is ready to step in as the starter at the strongside position after being a loyal backup to B.J. Goodson and Travis Blanks the last two years. Then of course you have five-star freshmen Shaq Smith and Tre Lamar to go with redshirt freshman Chad Smith and sophomore Jalen Williams.
But Kendall Joseph is going to have to be the man in the middle for a defense that will have to replace an All-ACC linebacker who was drafted by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft. Goodson led the Tigers last year with 160 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss. He also had 17 quarterback pressures, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. In other words, Goodson was an every down linebacker, just like his predecessor Stephone Anthony.
Joseph has the skills to be that kind of guy. In fact he was supposed to be that guy last season. This past spring Boulware, defensive coordinator Brent Venables and head coach Dabo Swinney told us Joseph was the best linebacker on the squad last spring. But a shoulder injury on the first day of fall camp, plus a knee injury later in camp limited the Belton, S.C. native.
“(Venables) is a great coach and I have just kind of bought in and learned the defense,” Joseph said. “I have had a lot of leaders around me. Stephone (Anthony) was here when I got here, B. J. (Goodson) led.
“I just kind of learned the defense. If you can take the time to really learn this defense, you can be great. This system is made to make great linebackers, and I’m not great. I’m nowhere near great, yet. But I have bought in and have tried to be the best that I can be. I just work hard in everything I do.”
TCI’s Clemson preseason magazine is now available. Order your copy of Unfinished Business – An Insider Look at Clemson’s 2016 season today.
