Clemson's 2010 depth chart and analysis

Quarterbacks

(11) Kyle Parker

(10) Tajh Boyd

(16) Michael Wade

THE SCOOP: Parker is a returning freshman All-American who set Clemson freshman records for touchdowns (20), completions (205) and yards (2,526) last fall; his strong arm, pocket presence and leadership are a huge boon for the offense. Boyd is a future star who gained experience during a summer in which he thought he was preparing for the starting role. He has excellent athleticism but must read defenses better. Wade is a steady veteran who could also help as a safety.

Running backs

(8) Jamie Harper

(23) Andre Ellington

(25) Roderick McDowell

(22) D.J. Howard

(24) Demont Buice

THE SCOOP: Ah, life without C.J. Spiller, one of the program’s all-time greats and the ACC’s all-time all-purpose yards leader. He’s truly irreplaceable, but Harper and Ellington are a formidable duo. They combined for 909 yards rushing and eight touchdowns last fall, and Harper, not Spiller, had the longest touchdown run, a 69-yarder at N.C. State. Harper is a bruising back who also has quickness, while Ellington is more of a scatback who can also catch his share of passes. McDowell has impressed coaches this month with his toughness, while Howard could also contribute early, especially considering the talented crop of backs committed for next fall.

Receivers

‘A’

(26) Marquan Jones

(7) Bryce McNeal

‘X’

(21) Xavier Dye

(85) Brandon Clear

(80) Brandon Ford

‘Z’

(87) Terrance Ashe

(18) Jaron Brown

(6) DeAndre Hopkins

Tight ends

(83) Dwayne Allen

(82) Drew Traylor

(84) Darrell Smith

THE SCOOP: Parker’s return left this group the biggest question mark on Clemson’s roster.

All-ACC pick Jacoby Ford was by far the most productive and explosive wideout last fall, and he’s now with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. Jones has shown flashes of brilliance; his 19.6 ypc average was tops on the roster in 2009. But he must become more consistent. Dye briefly quit the team over playing-time issues last fall and rebounded to first-team by season’s end. Clear has drawn reams of praise from coaches over the past two years but never shown it in games; this must change. Brown has excellent speed but must show production on the field. Ashe is a steady former walk-on who had 11 receptions for 124 yards as a junior; he’s also an excellent blocker. McNeal was one of the nation’s top wideout recruits in 2009 and a redshirt year has added bulk and offensive knowledge. In addition, DeAndre Hopkins could be the unit’s breakout star; he has excellent hands and speed, but must learn the offense and improve his blocking.

Offensive line

Left tackle

(61) Chris Hairston

(63) Brandon Thomas

Left guard

(73) David Smith OR

(62) Mason Cloy

Center

(52) Dalton Freeman

(54) Matt Sanders

Right guard

(74) Antoine McClain

(67) Kalon Davis

Right tackle

(72) Landon Walker

(79) Phillip Price

THE SCOOP: One of the biggest question marks last fall, offensive line is now an emerging strength. It returns four starters from last fall, and a fifth, Cloy, is battling Smith for a starting role after breaking his leg in the ACC title game. Hairston is one of the league’s top tackles (he’s started 23 games over the past two years) and a great pick to protect Parker’s blind side. Smith had the best spring of any lineman and Cloy was a freshman All-American in 2008. Freeman emerged as the No.1 center and a candidate for the Rimington Award, given to the nation’s top center. McClain is an excellent run-blocker and Walker found his stride following an up-and-down freshman season. Thomas and Price are rapidly improving tackles, while Davis impressed the staff by losing 35 pounds (from 375 to 340) after reporting in January.

Defensive line

Defensive end

(93) Da’Quan Bowers

(97) Malliciah Goodman

Nose guard

(99) Jarvis Jenkins

(94) Rennie Moore

Defensive tackle

(98) Brandon Thompson OR

(89) Miguel Chavis

Bandit end

(40) Andre Branch

(90) Kourtnei Brown

THE SCOOP: Despite the loss of now-Philadelphia Eagles DE Ricky Sapp, this group remains one of the team’s most talented and deepest. Before mourning the sudden death of his father, Bowers was determined to live up to his billing as 2008’s No.1 overall recruit, vowing improved focus and technique. Jenkins and Thompson were a nasty duo in 2009, although both slumped down the stretch after putting on weight. Branch and Goodman are both very talented, aggressive pass rushers, while Chavis and Moore leave no dropoff from Jenkins and Thompson.

Linebackers

‘Sam’

(34) Quandon Christian

(41) Daniel Andrews

‘Mike’

(42) Corico Hawkins

(33) Spencer Shuey

(8) Justin Parker

‘Will’

(20) Brandon Maye

(46) Jonathan Willard

THE SCOOP: There is talent here, although a season-ending scorching at the hands of South Carolina and Georgia Tech’s running games led to a springtime shuffle. Maye, who had 103 tackles as a sophomore, was shifted to “Will” to compete with Willard, leaving the middle open for Hawkins. Coaches love Hawkins’ smarts, leadership and leverage, while Maye feels freer on the outside. Christian put a chokehold on the “Sam” starting role in spring. Freshman Parker must contribute immediately; he was considered one of the nation’s top linebacker recruits and one of the state’s top overall recruits.

Defensive backs

Cornerback

(12) Marcus Gilchrist

(29) Xavier Brewer

Strong safety

(2) DeAndre McDaniel

(5) Jonathan Meeks

Free safety

(31) Rashard Hall

(32) Carlton Lewis

Cornerback

(36) Byron Maxwell

(15) Coty Sensabaugh

(9) Spencer Adams

THE SCOOP: Even though four-year starting cornerbacks Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor are in NFL camps, this remains a strength of Clemson’s defense. The versatile Gilchrist moves into one corner slot; he had 107 tackles as a starting safety last year. Maxwell has good speed and cover skills, while Brewer and Adams have drawn praise from coaches for their improvement this month. McDaniel is a returning All-American who is a vicious hitter (just ask Christian Ponder); his eight interceptions as a junior led the ACC and finished third nationally. Hall is also a ball-hawk, with six picks as a freshman.

Special teams

Kicker

(39) Chandler Catanzaro

(13) Spencer Benton

(19) Richard Jackson

Punter

(96) Dawson Zimmerman

(19) Richard Jackson

Kick returner

(2) DeAndre McDaniel

(23) Andre Ellington

Punt returner

(2) DeAndre McDaniel

(18) Jaron Brown

THE SCOOP: Another big area of corner after Spiller and Ford took their considerable return abilities to the NFL; Spiller had five return scores in 2009. McDaniel was a leader to take over those duties, but he’s competing with a crowded field. Jackson spent August in a 3-way battle for his job after an up-and-down spring; he made eight field goals from at least 40 yards in 2009 but made only 20 of 31 overall. Zimmerman has a solid hold on punting duties after averaging 39.1 yards per kick as a sophomore.