We are just a few days away from the completion of fall camp as the second-ranked Clemson Tigers prepare for what they hope is a championship season.
In this edition of our Up Downs feature we take a look at which players made a move in the past week of preseason camp. Which players are elevating their game and their position on the depth chart?
Up
Adam Choice – He’s back. Choice is back to where he was when he won the starting job in 2014 before his knee injury. He may be better than ever. In Saturday’s scrimmage Choice had two 65 yard runs and dominated the scrimmage. He finished with 10 carries for 169 yards and scored three touchdowns. Following the scrimmage co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said Choice had separated himself in the battle for the backup running back job.
Nick Schuessler – This week Nick Schuessler had two solid scrimmages and Scott said Schuesller had been the most impressive backup quarterback during camp. He did add that Kelly Bryant looked better on Saturday, but Schuessler had 10 throws to only four for the sophomore. Although the staff won’t come out and say it right now Schuessler would be the backup if the Tigers had to use one today.
Tre Lamar – Linebacker Tre Lamar had another good week of camp and defensive coordinator Brent Venables said following Saturday’s scrimmage that Lamar is playing at a first team level right now. Kendall Joseph is also playing well so Lamar still sits at No. 2 on the depth chart, but is making a strong case for significant playing time this year. Don’t be surprised to see Lamar starting at some point this season.
James Skalski – While fellow freshmen Lamar and Shaq Smith have gotten plenty of attention at linebacker, James Skalski has just been doing his job on the field. Skalski earned the praise of Venables following Saturday’s scrimmage. Venables compared Skalski to Ben Boulware, which is high praise for the freshman. Skalski has played well enough in camp that the staff is now wondering if they should play him this year or redshirt him.
Ryan Carter – Both head coach Dabo Swinney and Venables made comments following Saturday’s scrimmage about how the Tigers are still searching for a starter at corner. Carter has played well enough to get in the middle of the battle over the past week. The redshirt junior has plenty of experience, but more at nickel back than corner over the past few years. Carter is making a strong push to earn the starting position.
Downs
Mark Fields – The sophomore entered camp No. 2 on the depth then moved to No. 1 after Marcus Edmond injured his hamstring on Day 1 of practice, but after two scrimmages the staff says they are still searching for a cornerback. That is not good news for Fields who has had his chance to take control of the position. Fields is still searching for the consistency that the staff is looking for at the position. There is no doubt he has the physical talent, but has not played well enough so far in camp to cement the starting job.
Freshmen Playmakers – The freshmen playmakers on offense did not have a great scrimmage on Saturday according to Swinney and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott. Scott said it looks like all of the installation has caught up with the new playmakers. The freshmen receivers are “slowing down in a hurry” according to Scott. The staff is also working with running back Tavien Feaster to get him to use his speed and put it into fifth gear when he gets in space.