2021 CFP SEASON PREVIEW AUTUMN 11

CLEMSON
#1 ACC: CONF 9-1, HOME 5-0, AWAY 4-1, BOWL: L
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (13) OC: Tony Elliott (7) DC: Brent Venables (10)
OFFENSE:
QB: Lost Trevor Lawrence (3153 YDS, 24 TD, 5 INT passing, 203 YDS, 8 TD rushing) to the NFL. Returns 5-star DJ Uiagalelei (914
YDS, 5 TD passing, 60 YDS, 4 TD rushing) who started two games when Lawrence was on the sideline with COVID. DJ’s backup,
Taisun Phommachanh tore his Achilles in the spring game and was expected to miss the season but might return part way
through the year. Also returns Hunter Helms (77 YDS, 2 TD).
RB: Lost Travis Etienne (914 YDS, 14 TD rushing, 588 YDS, 2 TD receiving), the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, to the NFL. 2020 5-
star Demarkus Bowman (32 YDS) transferred to Florida. Chez Mellusi (151 YDS, 3 TD) transferred to Wisconsin. Returns Darien
Rancher (137 YDS, 1 TD), Kobe Pace (75 YDS) and Michael Dukes (55 YDS). Freshman 5-star Will Shipley will make an impact
right away. Phil Mafah is a 4-star freshman that will also see the field.
WR: Lost Amari Rodgers (1020 YDS, 7 TD) and Cornell Powell (882 YDS, 7 TD) to the NFL. 6’4 Justyn Ross (865 YDS, 8 TD in 2019)
will be back after missing the 2020 season due to a spinal injury. Also returns 6’3 EJ Williams (306 YDS, 2 TD), 6’3 Frank Ladson
(281 YDS, 3 TD), Brannon Spector (136 YDS), 6’3 Joseph Ngata (83 YDS), 6’3 Ajou Ajou (41 YDS, 1 TD). 4-star freshman 6’3 Beaux
Collins could see the field.
TE: Returns Braden Galloway (369 YDS, 2 TD), Davis Allen (247 YDS, 4 TD) and Jaelyn Lay (5 YDS).
OL: Lost LT Jackson Carman to the NFL. The other 4 starters are back. Returns one of the top tackles in 2020 in Jordan
McFadden.
DEFENSE:
DL: Nyles Pinckney (22 TOT, 1 sack) transferred to Minnesota. DE Juston Foster (opted out 2020, 41 TOT & 4.5 sacks in 2019)
initially ended his playing career after battling COVID-19 but rejoined the team in May. Returns Bryan Breece (23 TOT, 4 sacks)
who was the No.1 recruit of 2020 and is now one of the best defensive linemen in CFB along with Tyler Davis (13 TOT, 2 sacks).
Also returns DE Myles Murphy (38 TOT, 4 sacks), DE KJ Henry (23 TOT, 3.5 sacks), DE Justin Mascoll (18 TOT, 2 sacks), DE Regan
Upshaw (16 TOT, 2.5 sacks), Tyler Davis (13 TOT, 2 sacks), Tre Williams (7 TOT), DE Xavier Thomas (11 TOT, 3.5 sacks in 7 games)
and Darnell Jefferies (6 TOT). DT DeMonte Capehart will contribute as a backup after playing in 4 games last year.
LB: Pass rusher Mike Jones Jr (started 7 games, 26 TOT, 2 INT) transferred to LSU. Returns Baylon Spector (65 TOT, 4.5 sacks),
James Skalski (35 TOT, 1.5 sacks), Jake Venables (30 TOT, 2.5 sacks), Trenton Simpson (28 TOT, 4 sacks), Kane Patterson (16 TOT,
1 INT), Keith Maguire (15 TOT) and LaVonta Bentley (14 TOT, 3.5 sacks). Freshman 4-star Jeremiah Trotter Jr will contribute as a
backup.
SF: Returns Nolan Turner (53 TOT, 3 INT), Joseph Charleston (44 TOT), Lannden Zanders (25 TOT, 1 sack), Ray Thornton (15
TOT), Tyler Venables (14 TOT), Jalyn Phillips (12 TOT, 1 INT) and Carson Donnelly (5 TOT).
CB: Starter Derion Kendrick (20 TOT, 1 sack, 1 INT) transferred to Georgia. Returns Andrew Booth (27 TOT, 1 sack, 2 INT),
Sheridan Jones (22 TOT, 1 INT), Malcolm Greene (18 TOT, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT), Mario Goodrich (16 TOT, 2 INT) and Fred Davis (13
TOT). The No.6 CB recruit of the 2021 class, Nathaniel Wiggins, could get on the field.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
KR: Returns BT Potter (61/62 PAT, 18/23 FG), Aidan Swanson (2/2 PAT) and Jonathan Weitz (1/1 PAT).
PR: Returns starting punter Will Spiers (43.9 YD AVG).
SPIN
Clemson, SC – Clemson is tied for the best home win percentage (93.3%) since 2010 and is riding a 25 game win streak at home.
The offense was 3 rd nationally with 43.5 PPG. There was talk of OC Tony Elliot taking a head coaching position but he stayed.
Usually, losing the starting QB, RB, and top 2 WRs would be a major setback for teams, but not
with this talented roster. 5-star recruits fill in where the NFL talent leaves. 10 of 11 starters are
back on a defensive unit that was tied for the FBS lead in sacks (46) last season, accounted for 14
interceptions and ranked 15 th (112.7 YDS/G). Even though Derion Kendrick is gone, the secondary
is still loaded with talent and experience, led by Andrew Booth who is a top 5 corner in the
country. The opener against Georgia could have playoff ramifications for both schools. If they can
make it out of week 1 with a win, they will not face a team with enough fire power to beat them
until the ACC Championship Game which will most likely be against North Carolina or Miami from
the Coastal Division. Last year the Tigers beat Miami 42-17 and did not play UNC. Clemson has won
the ACC 6 years in a row and made the CFP in each of those 6 seasons. 2021 is looking like another
run at the National Championship for the Tigers.
Twitter @Autumn_Eleven