2008 overall record: 7-6

2008 conference record: 4-4

Returning starters Offense: 7, Defense: 8, Punter/Kicker: 0

Top returns: WR Jacoby Ford, RB C.J. Spiller, OG Thomas Austin, CB Crezdon Butler, CB Chris Chancellor, DE Ricky Sapp, LB Kavell Conner

Key losses: WR Aaron Kelly, QB Cullen Harper, RB James Davis, WR Tyler Grisham, S Michael Hamlin, S Chris Clemons, PK Mark Buchholz, P Jimmy Maners, NG Darell Scott

Fall Fantasy Question:

Parker vs. Korn: The one thing that can’t be accurately evaluated in the spring is how well the quarterbacks can run, which is something they’ll have to do more in this system. But the quarterbacks can’t be tackled in the scrimmages. Korn is the better runner, but Parker was the better quarterback this spring.

Team Breakdown

Quarterback – Coming out of the spring game the Tigers are not even sure who’s going to be their starter.

Will it be Kyle Parker or Willie Korn? Big-time 2009 recruit Tajh Boyd is recovering from ACL surgery. Korn has been on campus since 2007, but hasn’t distinguished himself. Parker looked more comfortable in the pocket and made better reads during the spring. Korn was good, but wasn’t anything special. Coach Dabo Swinney has plenty to work out at this position before the season starts. 2008 Stats: Korn – 26 for 38, 216 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 13 rushes for 19 yards, 1 TD.

ACC Rank – 10

Running Back – The loss of James Davis is going to be big enough adjustment for the Tigers. The good news however, is that they have plenty of returning talent at running back. One of the country’s most explosive players, CJ Spiller, now becomes the feature back. Spiller ran 690 yards last year which is a down year, but is the current active ACC leader in career rushing yards. Running back recruits Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington should be major contributors this season as well. Spring game breakout star Rendrick Taylor also gives the Tigers a tough inside runner. 2008 Stats: Spiller – 116 rushes for 629 yards, 7 TDs, 34 receptions for 436 yards, 3 TDs.

ACC Rank – 4

Wide Receiver – The Tigers are returning one of the fastest wide receivers in the ACC as senior Jacoby Ford has been tearing up the 2009 collegiate track this season. He was this year’s NCAA Indoor 60-meter champion. He was second on the team last year with 55 receptions for 710 yards. 6-5 Xavier Dye should be the starter opposite of Ford as he has great size. After that the young group of receivers will all be vying for playing time. 2008 Stats: Ford – 55 for 710 yards, 4 TDs, 19 rushes for 96 yards. Dye – 6 for 75 yards.

ACC Rank – 4

Tight End – TE Michael Palmer may be the one to watch. He led the Tigers with 10 receptions and 86 yards in the spring game. Palmer’s pass catching ability is second to none in this year’s tight end group. It is going to depend on how many looks either of the new quarterbacks give him. 2008 Stats: Palmer – 12 for 160 yards, 3 TDs.

ACC Rank – 4

Defense - Da’Quan Bowers will be a star on the defense this year as he was the most prized recruit for Clemson in the 2008 recruiting class. This could be a good year for the Tigers as the only starter’s departure that will be tough to fill is safety Michael Hamlin. Shut down corners Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor should be two of the best in the ACC. Dabo got lucky in his first full year as head coach as he inherited a solid defense that is returning 8 starters.

ACC Rank – 1

Kicker/Special Teams – Senior Mark Buchholz and his 71% accuracy on field goals have gone away with this year’s graduating class. His presumed replacement is to be junior Richard Jackson, however, he may be in an early competition with freshman Spencer Benton. We should see CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford split return duties. Last year, Spiller had a kick return for a touchdown. 2008 Stats: None for the Kicker. Spiller – 1 kick return for TD.

ACC Rank – 8

2009 Schedule

Sept. 5 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 10 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 19 Boston College
Sept. 26 Central Michigan
Oct. 3 at Maryland
Oct. 10 OPEN
Oct. 17 Wake Forest
Oct. 24 at Miami
Oct. 31 Coastal Carolina
Nov. 7 Florida State
Nov. 14 at NC State
Nov. 21 Virginia
Nov. 28 at South Carolina

Related posts:

1. ACC Preview: Clemson Tigers
2. FSU Seminoles 2009 Team Preview
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2009 Team Preview
4. Maryland Terrapins 2009 Team Preview
5. Boston College Eagles 2009 Team Preview

Tags: CJ Spiller, Clemson