We are halfway through July and the start of camp is on the horizon. In our Camp Countdown series we will look at each position and discuss some of the questions heading into camp.
In this edition we take a look at the special teams.
Although there were some questions on offense and defense during the off-season, special teams is the biggest concern heading into camp. It is safe to say if there were better special teams play the Tigers would be opening camp in a few weeks to see if they can repeat as national champs.
The biggest question mark and need for improvement is the kickoff coverage team. That killed the Tigers last year, not just in the title game, but throughout the season. The Clemson staff talked several times during the season about how they were working to fix that issue, but it cost the Tigers in the biggest game of all.
Clemson is as deep and talented across the board as they have been. Again this season some of that talent lacks experience. One of the big questions in camp will be who they put on kickoff return teams. The Tigers should be able to excel there with the guys they have on defense.
Another big question has kicker Greg Huegel improved his kickoffs so that he can get more in the end zone. The easiest way to solve the kickoff coverage issue is to not allow any. If Huegel isn’t the answer is there another kicker on the roster who can do it?
Last season there were plenty of questions about the kicking duties with the suspension of Ammon Lakip. A year later and Huegel is no longer the grocery store kicker as he did well enough last year to keep the job when Lakip returned. Huegel did miss field goals in the ACC Championship Game, the Orange Bowl and the National Championship Game. The staff will be looking for more consistency from Huegel on the long field goals in camp.
One of the big questions in camp will be who returns kickoffs and punts for the Tigers. Freshman Tavien Feaster brings C.J. Spiller like skills to the team and the first place those skills may be on display is on kickoff returns. Will C.J. Fuller remain one of the starters on kickoff returns or will we see the likes of Feaster, Scott and McCloud take over those duties and give the Tigers more of a threat?
Another guy who could see some time on returns is true freshman Cornell Powell. The staff will need to decide in camp if they plan to play the incredible athlete this season or redshirt him with all the talent at receiver. If Powell impresses at camp on returns that could be a big factor in the decision.
The Tigers should have some great playmakers on returns this year so make sure you get back to your seats before they return kickoffs. We will hear a lot of positives during camp from the staff on the “improved coverage teams”. Hopefully those results will be on display when they play for real at Auburn on Sept. 3.
Camp Countdown – Defensive End
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