By William Qualkinbush.

Clemson has plenty of familiar names vying for playing time at cornerback. Cordrea Tankersley’s name is not one of the ones immediately on the tips of the tongues of fans and media members.

But Tankersley’s name is one of the ones atop a position on the depth chart, as the sophomore is listed across from Mackensie Alexander as a starter at cornerback. Tankersley drew praise for his work in the spring as he rose up the depth chart. He is up front about his weaknesses, blaming immaturity and a lack of perspective for stunting his growth.

“I was big-eyed,” Tankersley said. “I wasn’t taking the playbook that serious.”

Tankersley says he has drawn inspiration from several older players that have helped him see the benefits of working hard on a daily basis. Ironically, one of those players is Garry Peters, whose suspension for the Georgia game has paved the way for Tankersley to make his first career start and see ample action. He says he is not intimidated by the prospect of beginning his career as a first-teamer in such a hostile environment.

“Every day when I go to practice, I try to take it as a game situation so, come Georgia, I won’t be as nervous or anxious,” Tankersley said. “Of course, it’s going to be a little amped, a little hype, but I’ll be ready for the task.”

More alike than it seems. A random poll among Clemson fans might find right tackle as one of the assumed weaknesses on the 2014 team. Currently, the pecking order begins with co-starters: Joe Gore and Shaq Anthony.

Gore is the de facto first-team guy for the Georgia game since Anthony will not play due to suspension. Conventional wisdom says that the pair have complementary strengths—Anthony with pass blocking, Gore with run blocking.

But Gore scoffs at the notion that he and Anthony are different sides of the same coin. He says there is more similarity to their respective games than meets the eye.

“I think we’re pretty much equal,” he said. “I can’t really say I’m better than him at anything. He’s a great athlete—strong, fast.”

Despite their battle for snaps and status, Gore says he and Anthony enjoy a friendship that extends off the field. However, he also says they keep the competitive switch turned on consistently—even when they are helping each other.

“We sit down and talk about stuff like this all the time—what we think the other one could do better,” he said. We’re just always in competition.”

During the spring, Gore says the coaching staff challenged them not to make the right tackle spot a weakness on the team. Since April, Gore says the group has more than held its own.

“I think they realized that it’s not really a weakness anymore,” he said.

Personal growth for Leggett. After a public admission of lazy practice habits during last season, tight end Jordan Leggett has approached camp with a different mindset this time. In fact, after being “cocky” heading into his freshman season, Leggett says some off-field changes have led to a new demeanor when he goes to work at the football complex.

“Actually, I’ve come farthest in the classroom,” Leggett said when asked where his largest strides have come. “I’ve actually gotten better there. From doing that, I’ve been less stressed about football.”