A big part of Clemson’s rise as a program has been continuity. Dabo Swinney likes it that way. He prides himself on it.

Rarely do assistant coaches leave. Rarely do staffers depart the program for anything but a promotion elsewhere. Veteran players that have ascended to certain on-field roles get the benefit of the doubt when matched up with newcomers.

Still, upheaval does occur from time to time. It’s the nature of the beast at a program like the one Swinney has built. However, Dabo has a plan for that, too.

“Next man up” is a nice catch phrase. Many coaches and players say these words, but it takes a certain set of circumstances to activate them. Just because a name exists on the depth chart doesn’t mean “next man up” applies to the situation.

Clemson will have to test its readiness to implement “next man up” in many places in 2017. Quarterback, running back, wide receiver—all of these positions were filled last season by impact underclassmen who left early for the NFL Draft. Those departures, much like those of seniors who have exhausted four years of eligibility, were expected.

The level of expectation for the three transfers that have been announced, however, is unclear. Offensive tackle Jake Fruhmorgen, running back Tyshon Dye, and cornerback Adrian Baker all would have made some sort of contribution to the Tigers in 2017. All three chose to pursue other opportunities at different schools.

Baker is the latest to elect to leave the Clemson program, citing a desire to be closer to his child in Florida in a Facebook post, and his departure may be more impactful in the immediate term than either of the first two. The redshirt junior missed the 2016 season due to injury and is perhaps best known for his interception early in Clemson’s 2015 victory over Florida State that clinched the Atlantic Division for the Tigers.

Baker’s absence creates a unique void, just as the first two did. Fruhmorgen dealt with a mysterious personal issue that took him from the starting lineup to AWOL last season, and the Tigers moved on without him. Offensive tackle is the position group least equipped to deal with personnel losses, but the 2017 group is essentially the same one that Clemson won the title with a year ago. Any injuries—especially to Mitch Hyatt—would be devastating, with or without Fruhmorgen.

Tyshon Dye was destined for the bottom of the depth chart at running back for 2017. He was behind both old and new faces, and even though the Tigers figure to replace Wayne Gallman by committee, Dye might have still been an odd man out of the rotation. Unless multiple injuries strike, the running back position should be just fine.

There is one thing that makes Baker’s position group—cornerback—the most vulnerable in this discussion: There are no proven first-round talents to head up the group like Mackensie Alexander or Cordrea Tankersley. Ryan Carter, Marcus Edmond, Mark Fields, Trayvon Mullen—all are somewhat known with a bunch of question marks. Talented newcomers A.J. Terrell and DeAnthony Williams Jr. will be true freshmen, so expecting much from them is ambitious at this point.

Fruhmorgen started, but Clemson survived without him. Dye fell to the bottom of the ladder. Baker wasn’t around for the Tigers’ title, either, but given the drop-off in front line talent at his position, it seems logical to suggest that he would have seen playing time early and often with an opportunity to prove himself.

For a Clemson squad in need of healthy bodies to provide depth where elite ability lacks, Baker would have been a nice asset. Instead, the Tigers will have to look elsewhere. Based on track record, it seems likely Mike Reed and Brent Venables will find a replacement, but the quest may be tougher than it will be for coaches looking to replace Fruhmorgen and Dye.

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