By Staff Reports.
The TCI staff of Ed McGranahan, Hale McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Robert MacRae go Around the Horn to answer some of the questions surrounding Clemson athletics.
With the news coming out about Travis Blanks wanting to be redshirted, should Dabo Swinney redshirt the junior this season?
Ed McGranahan: “Obviously there’s a risk this season in not using a player of Travis Blanks’ stature. Unless they’ve oversold Wiggins, O’Daniel and Burrell, the supporting cast around them might be able to make up the gap. It may be a bit of a gamble, and Blanks surely could use the year to fully recover. Dabo says they’ll give it a little time, which Blanks could use to accelerate his progress. In all likelihood the litmus test will come in Tallahasssee. Blanks will need to be ready, just in case. Otherwise he surely can watch.”
William Qualkinbush: “First of all, let me say this about Travis Blanks: He is a tremendous person. He is the most mature college student I’ve ever met. He is an actual role model, not just a person kids look up to because he’s a good player. We focus on his football abilities because that’s largely our jobs, but the off-field actions from Travis Blanks shine brighter than his play for me. When I was in college, I didn’t hang out with athletes very much, but he was one of the few I would consider a friend of mine. Anyone who knows him knows it really isn’t that shocking for him to feel so badly about missing so much practice time that he would like to redshirt. It seems like a good idea for both parties. Clemson has depth and versatility at nickel. Korrin Wiggins can fill Blanks’ shoes from a defensive back standpoint, and both Dorian O’Daniel and T.J. Burrell can add more of a linebacker’s perspective to the mix. A healthy Blanks is a super football player, but there are others who can do the job admirably while he heals and prepares to go all out in 2015.”
Will Vandervort: “I was shocked to hear the news this morning from Dabo Swinney on Travis Blanks. It has to be hard for a player to go to a coach and tell him he doesn’t think he can play. I admire Blanks for that because he is not only looking out for himself, but his teammates as well. If he doesn’t feel like he needs to be out there then he doesn’t need to be out there. He can only hurt the team. In a game where playing time is the ultimate motivation, when a player says he can’t go then he can’t go, especially a player like Blanks that loves to play. Also, if he is out there and he isn’t 100 percent, he can hurt himself or someone else so it is better that he gets the rest he needs in order to get himself up to speed.”
Hale McGranahan: “I think it would be wise for Travis Blanks to take the Derrick Rose approach. If you’re not mentally ready to go out and play on your once injured knee, then take all the time you need to get right. Nobody knows Blanks’ body better than Blanks himself, and he’s a smart guy. So if he doesn’t think he should play anytime soon, then he shouldn’t. Plus, Korrin Wiggins was solid at the nickel/SAM in 2013. No need to rush Blanks back to the field.”
Robert MacRae: “It certainly is a great statement about what a fine young man Travis is for this to be his idea. Anyone that knows Travis knows he is a first class young man. The decision to redshirt or not will be dictated by how the others in front of him do at the SAM/Hybrid position. If the others can get the job done he should definitely be redshirted since it is obviously okay with him. That would be the best use of his talent. It is clear he could play right now, but is not 100 percent. It certainly would be a nice benefit to have him back with more eligibility.”
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