Hear Them Roar!
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Two words. Deshaun Watson. If the record setting quarterback remains healthy then the Tiger offense has all of the pieces in place to be one of the most dynamic offenses in ACC history. The Tigers averaged 38.5 points a game in 2015, and the 2016 unit looks to be even better.
More on Watson. Going into his junior season, Watson has all of the tools. He is mobile, strong armed, accurate, and demands respect in the huddle. This kid is the unquestioned leader of this offense and face of Clemson athletics.
Watson has the attention of every General Manager in the NFL as he is a once in a decade talent. Look for him to be the number 1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Watson is surrounded by absolutely sick skill people on offense.
Running back Wayne Gallman returns after quietly rushing for 1500 yards in 2015. How do you quietly accumulate that many yards? You do in an offense led by Deshaun Watson.
The receiving corps are the best in college football. Artavis Scott, Hunter Renfrow, Deon Cain, Mike Williams and tight end Jordan Leggett all return. Clemson is Wide Receiver U.
Clemson will insert Taylor Hearn and Jake Fruhmorgen as new starters on the OL, but the unit will still be solid. Depth is a concern if some injuries occur.
Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in college football and has some nice pieces returning in 2016.
It seems as if Clemson has a defensive end selected in the first round every year, and Venables has some young talent ready to become the next wave of great pass rushers like Austin Bryant and Richard Yeargin.
The defense will be led by LB Ben Boulware and CB Cordrea Tankersley. Tankersley is an elite corner and has NFL scouts drooling. Clemson is blessed with a 4-man DT rotation in Carlos Watkins, Christian Wilkins, Scott Pagano, and 5-star incoming freshman DT Dexter Lawrence who will be a monster presence with this unit.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney and his awesome “Bring your own guts” slogan has become one of the best coaches in all of college football.
Dabo took over midway through the 2008 season from Tommy Bowden and had to rebuild the program. The Tigers took off under Swinney in 2011 and have had five straight 10 win seasons and finished 14-1 in 2015 just narrowly losing to Alabama in the NC game.
The Bring Your Own Guts slogan has galvanized the Tiger Nation and optimism is at an all-time high in upper South Carolina.
Outlook for the 2016 season:
Key games: @ Auburn in season opener. I expect Clemson to dominate Auburn, but the media wants to make this into a hyped event. Auburn has major QB issues. Clemson has an NFL QB playing college football.
October 29th @ FSU. The FSU game in Tallahassee will be a regular season playoff game. Winner of this game probably makes the final 4.
Final Prediction: 15-0 and a National Championship. This is the best Clemson football team this writer has ever seen. Fertile recruiting grounds, rabid fan base, and young HC makes this program one that will be on top for the next 5-10 years.
Clemson is on solid ground and you better bring your own guts when you oppose these Tigers.
Deshaun Watson will win the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and grew up 30 minutes from the UGA campus, and was never seriously recruited by UGA under the former coaching staff there. Ouch!
