The Clemson Insider continues to take a look at each position on the football team to examine where each player stands right now in his group on the depth chart. We will look back on the 2015 season for analysis and attempt to forecast what the 2016 depth chart might look like in a few months, including early thoughts on the mid-year enrollees. Today, we continue with a look at the MIKE (middle) linebacker position…
- Kendall Joseph, RS So.
At this time a year ago, people from every walk of life—media, fans, etc.—were asking aloud whether B.J. Goodson could possibly fill the shoes of Stephone Anthony. After Goodson’s monster 2015 campaign, the same questions are now being asked of his primary replacement. Just as those in the program raved about Goodson last spring, Joseph has generated quite a bit of buzz.
The praise feels lofty for a guy coming off of a freshman season in which he totaled six tackles—fewer than 24 other players on the roster. However, rumblings from camp have suggested that Joseph may have cut into Goodson’s workload, possibly as the best option to play in the middle. There appears to be zero concern about Joseph’s fitness to take over at MIKE.
Speaking of fitness, avoiding injury has to be the biggest priority for Joseph. Injuries kept him behind the curve in 2015 and essentially left Goodson without a quality backup. Now, Joseph has emerged as a ball hawk who loves to play downhill and attack the line of scrimmage. It seems that only an untimely injury could derail his progress.
- Tre Lamar, Fr.
Early enrollees are becoming commonplace around Clemson, but rarely do they look as physically ready to compete as Lamar does. It isn’t obvious the freshman is still supposed to be in high school. He is pushing 240 pounds and is poised to avoid a redshirt year.
Much like his counterpart Shaq Smith, Lamar was labeled a five-star recruit by some when he signed with the Tigers. He has the ability to impact games right away as a tough inside-the-box defender. It seems appropriate to compare him favorably to Anthony at this stage, with Lamar’s primary advantage being an extra semester to learn the playbook and adjust to college.
That should be the ultimate goal of spring. If Lamar can get into the playbook and advance mentally, his physical tools should get him onto the field early and often. He’s that talented, and given Joseph’s history with injuries, whoever the primary backup is at MIKE should see plenty of snaps during the 2016 season.
- Chad Smith, RS Fr.
Smith came to Clemson last season looking more like a nickel/SAM contributor than a player ready to compete at either of the other linebacker spots. Because his skill set doesn’t really fit that position, the staff elected to redshirt him. From a purely physical standpoint, it probably couldn’t have gone much better.
Smith now weighs around 240 pounds, a 30-pound increase from when he got to campus last summer. He could probably see some reps at either WILL or MIKE, but it seems logical to put him here as the best unaffiliated player that can push Lamar for reserve snaps behind Joseph.
Continued physical maturation will be critical for Smith. He has good instincts and seems like a good fit to make plays between the tackles or on the weak side. His sideline-to-sideline play could use some work, as well.
- Judah Davis, So.
Davis actually had more tackles (10) than Joseph did in 2015. He played in 13 games, but his primary roles were on special teams. The local product wants more this season, but he appears to have an uphill battle at the moment.
Dabo Swinney raves about Davis’ natural leadership. He and his brother, J.D., have obviously impacted the locker room in profound ways, since Swinney often mentions them well ahead of their respective standings on the depth chart. The son of former linebacker and all-around life baller (other descriptions just don’t cut it) Jeff Davis will be a difference-maker in 2016, whether on the field or off of it.
God Bless!
WQ