Camp is underway as the Tigers prepare for the 2014 season.  The position battles are heating up.

In this TCI feature each week we will look at the players moving up and those that are moving down.  Which players are elevating their game and their position on the depth chart?

Up

Joe Gore – The coaches have been waiting for Gore to play up to his potential and that is exactly what he is doing so far in camp.  Coach Morris made it clear that Gore would start if the Tigers played  Georgia today.  Morris raved about Gore’s improvement following Saturday’s scrimmage.

Demarre Kitt – With Charone Peake still sidelined and with the loss of Sammy Watkins the Tigers are looking to freshmen to help provide immediate depth at receiver.  Kitt, Scott and Priester have all received praise during camp, but Kitt has really surged the past few days of camp.  Morris singled Kitt out for praise Saturday following the scrimmage.  Dabo had also praised Kitt on Friday.

Tyrone Crowder – The battle for playing time at guard is fierce.  With David Beasley sidelined for the Georgia game, Clemson will need someone else to step into the depth chart.  Since Wednesday Battle has been sidelined with an injury moving Davis out to play tackle a good  bit.  Red-shirt freshmen Tyrone Crowder seems to be taking advantage of his opportunities.  Crowder ran some with the ones at guard the past few practices at guard.  Crowder appears to be on his way to some significant playing time this year.

Tony Steward – Tony Steward appears to be winning the battle at WILL linebacker with Ben Boulware through the first seven days of camp.  Coach Venables said the Tigers are seeing the Tony Steward they hoped to see when he came to Clemson as a 5-star.  Talking with one source that watched the scrimmage they said Tony was all over the field Saturday.

Jadar Johnson – Jadar is a different player this summer.  Johnson saw playing time last year as a freshmen and has translated that experience into a great offseason.  Johnson was running with the ones in Friday morning’s practice and split time with Kearse during Saturday’s scrimmage from the reports we have received.  Johnson appears to be headed towards significant playing this year at safety.

DJ Howard – After the first major scrimmage of camp DJ Howard continues to be the running back that is running with the ones the most.  Howard and Brooks have the advantage when it comes to experience.  Howard’s has had a hard time staying healthy during his career, but is at 100% as we head into another week of camp.  If the season started today Howard would start at running back.

Downs

David Beasley – David is running mainly second team in practice in camp as the Tigers search for their starting five for the Georgia game.  Beasley will be suspended for that game.  The coaches have said Beasley had a good offseason, but is not giving other an opportunity to show what they can do in camp with the ones.  With Gore coming on strong at tackle, Davis will be able to move inside to guard.  Beasley’s competition at guard will be increased with Crowder and  others coming on strong.  We still expect Beasley to have a good chance to be the starter in the end.

Shaq Anthony – Shaq will also be suspended for the Georgia game.  With Gore solidifying the right tackle spot during camp, that will leave Anthony at second team tackle heading into the season.