With all of the preseason scrimmages complete the Clemson coaching staff is making decisions about which players will redshirt and which ones will see the field this season. Head coach Dabo Swinney said some of these decisions may not be final for the next few weeks.  The staff has some tough decisions.

Here is the latest on which players we believe will play this season, which will redshirt and which are still on the bubble.

Playing

Tavien Feaster – There has never been any doubt that Feaster would play, even with a very strong depth chart at running back. Feaster brings speed that is not currently on the roster at running back and can possibly be a weapon in the return game this season.

Tre Lamar – Tre Lamar is the real deal. Not only will he play, but he is already playing at a level where the staff would feel comfortable with him starting at middle linebacker.

Dexter Lawrence – Dexter Lawrence has always been one of the guys that will play as a true freshman. Now Lawrence may be in line for a start against Auburn if Carlos Watkins can’t return in time from a wrist injury. Lawrence has been running with the first team the last few days of practice.

Trayvon Mullen – Mullen is as advertised. He will play early and often and could be the starter at corner later in the season.

K’Von Wallace – K’Von Wallace has been compared by Dabo Swinney to Marcus Gilchrist. Wallace has received plenty of praise from defensive coordinator Brent Venables and Swinney and could play safety, corner or nickel this season.

John Simpson – Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott couldn’t say enough nice things about the offensive lineman this week when discussing some of the guys that will definitely play. Elliott credited Simpson for coming in ready to play when he arrived this summer. Simpson will provide depth at guard.

Cornell Powell – Swinney and Elliott said this week that Powell will play this season. Powell is a tremendous athlete and will see time at receiver behind Renfrow, and will also be used on returns where he is a major weapon.

Xavier Kelly – The coaches aren’t yet sure if Kelly will play against Auburn, but expect him to see more time as the season progresses. He is built like a truck and ready to compete physically.

Sean Pollard – Elliott said this past week that Pollard will play this season and provide some depth on the offensive line. Enrolling in January was a big help allowing Pollard to see the field as a true freshman.

Tremayne Anchrum – Anchrum has been a force since arriving at Clemson in January. Elliott says Anchrum is ready top play and provide depth at tackle.

Shaq Smith – The staff wasn’t ready this week to say that Shaq Smith will play at Auburn, but he will see more playing time as the season progresses. Tre Lamar is ahead of Smith right now but Smith will only get better as the season progresses.

Redshirting

Zerrick Cooper – If you followed our recruiting coverage of Cooper you know he already planned to redshirt this year. The coaching staff has been very impressed with his camp and Swinney said this week he will travel with the team all year to soak up as much information as possible.

Nyles Pinckney – If the depth chart wasn’t so deep at defensive tackle Pinckney might see the field this year. In other years he would be playing for sure as a freshman. Right now we think the best move is to not waste a year where he doesn’t see much playing time.

JC Chalk – The Tigers are very deep at tight end and this will allow Chalk to redshirt this season. The staff has been very pleased with what they have seen from Chalk so far.

Diondre Overton – The staff has not yet said that Overton will redshirt. Elliott in fact said that he is ready to play this year. With the depth in front of him with Williams, Cain and Thompson we feel he will end up redshirting unless there is an injury or two.

T.J. Chase – Chase is in a similar situation. There is too much depth in front of him with Artavis Scott and Ray Ray McCloud to waste a season of eligibility this year. We expect Chase to redshirt, but the staff has not gone on the record with that decision, yet.

Chandler Reeves – Reeves has received some praise in camp from the coaching staff, but with the Tigers going three deep on the offensive line, Reeves is headed for a redshirt.

Nolan Turner – Turner will redshirt this season and will get to hit the weight room and learn more about Venables’ defense.

Cade Stewart – Robbie Caldwell believe Stewart will help the offensive line in the future. This year he is headed for a redshirt.

Brian Dawkins Jr. – An injury has Dawkins sidelined, but he would have been a redshirt even without the injury.

On the Bubble

Jamie Skalski – Venables has been really praising the linebacker the last two weeks. Venables has said Skalski is making the decision difficult, and he is comparing him with Ben Boulware.

Isaiah Simmons – Swinney said on Friday they are not yet ready to make the call on Simmons. He mentioned that the staff was glad they redshirted B.J. Goodson and used that as an example where the redshirt worked out well for the player and the team. Simmons is physically ready to play now but he is still working to be mentally prepared to help the Tigers this year.