By Will Vandervort.
Chad Morris says he is concerned about his offense, especially after what he has been reading, listening and watching these past couple of months. It seems like everywhere Clemson’s offensive coordinator goes these days he has to hear how bad his offense is going to be this upcoming season.
“Listening to everyone else talk, I think are biggest concern is whether or not we can get a first down this year,” Morris said a little tongue-and-cheek following Friday’s first day of training camp. “I don’t think there are a whole lot of people giving our offense much credit and that is okay. That’s good. That’s really good. I think that our guys are going to take it personal, I hope they do.”
The 16th-ranked Tigers opened camp with a different quarterback and without Sammy Watkins for the first time in three years on Friday. Because record-setting quarterback Tajh Boyd and Watkins are gone, as well as running back Roderick McDowell, wide receiver Martavis Bryant, left tackle Brandon Thomas and right guard Tyler Shatley, few of the so-called experts think Clemson’s offense will be challenging this year.
That might be a mistake.
“I think people are going to be shocked about what we are going to do,” quarterback Cole Stoudt said. “They are underestimating what we have. They are looking at the negatives instead of the positives that we have.”
Those positives are Stoudt—a three-year backup that understands Morris’ system inside and out—a slew of running backs, a veteran receiver in Adam Humphries, a potential playmaker in Mike Williams at another wide receiver spot and a tight end that could turn out to be one of the most dynamic tight ends in the country in Jordan Leggett.
“I feel like we are alight,” Morris said. “Obviously, we have to build depth on the offensive line and that is always an everyday deal. Consistency, the continuity of those guys, your wide receivers and finding who your playmakers are going to be, those are all concerns. Making sure your quarterbacks are who you think they are.
“After day one, it was good. We are not ordering any rings or giving out trophies after day one, but it was a start.”
Center Ryan Norton says people can think or say whatever they want to about Clemson’s offense, but they as a unit know what they are capable of accomplishing.
“We just have to go out there and prove it to ourselves,” he said. “I think people are going to be a little surprised about how good this offense is.”