Clemson Tigers Season Preview

Off ensive priorities included replacing three members of the line and adjusting to the staff change of having off ensive co-coordinators with Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott fi lling those roles...Th at arrangement worked fi ne in the Tigers’ Russell Athletic Bowl domination of Oklahoma, and the return of QB Deshaun Watson and big-play WRs Artavis Scott (76 catches) and Mike Williams (57 catches, 18.1 avg.) should make that transition easier...Scott and Williams head a talented receiver corps that includes WRs Germone Hopper, Charone Peake and freshman Trevion Th ompson; as well as TEs Jordan Leggett and Stanton Seckinger...Watson completed 68 percent of his passes with an effi ciency rating (188.57) which would have led the nation had he played in enough games to qualify...In his spring absence, junior Nick Schuessler impressed in his bid for the backup QB role...Watson will have a talented running back corps to work with led by Wayne Gallman (789 yards) and including Tyshon Dye, C.J. Davidson and Zac Brooks...C Ryan Norton is the only returning starter on a rebuilt line that includes Gs Eric MacLain and Tyrone Crowder and T Joe Gore and possibly true freshman Mitch Hyatt...Defense is where some heavy lift ing will need to occur...Th ere is talent available with seven returning lettermen up front, including DEs Shaq Lawson (11.0 TFLs) and Kevin Dodd, and DTs D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins as well as fi ve returning lettermen at linebacker... Ben Boulware (40 tackles), Korrin Wiggins (34 tackles) and B.J. Goodson (25 tackles) came out of spring as starters with Dorian O’Daniel (28 tackles) and T. J. Burrell pushing for playing time...Alexander and S Jayron Kearse key a secondary that includes SS Jadar Johnson and CB Cordrea Tankersly.