Clemson football 2018: Starting lineup and depth chart projection
Offense
Notable Losses: Losing Mitch Hyatt would’ve been a sizable blow for the Clemson offense, but the offensive tackle decided to stay put for another year. However, the offense will be moving forward with out Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud, who were big weapons at receiver for the Tigers. How this team fares without them will be dependent upon guys stepping up to fill the voids left by them. The transfer of quarterback Zerrick Cooper is also worth noting.
QB: Kelly Bryant, senior | Hunter Johnson, sophomore
The one thing that appears to be clear about the quarterback position for Clemson is that Kelly Bryant will reprise his role as the starter in 2018 — for better or worse. Bryant flashed some great things in his first year replacing the great Deshaun Watson, but also showed his limitations. He’ll be pushed by sophomore Hunter Johnson and freshman Trevor Lawrence, both of whom were highly touted recruits with immense talent.
RB: Tavien Feaster, junior | Travis Etienne, sophomore
Putting this down as 1-2 on the depth chart is really nothing more than just a title than anything. Feaster and Etienne were used as a committee last season, each earning 107 carries on the season and combining for 20 rushing touchdowns for the campaign. Swinney would love to see one guy truly break out, but having two talented and productive backs of their caliber certainly isn’t a bad thing.
WR: Diondre Overton, junior | Tee Higgins, sophomore
WR: Cornell Powell, junior | Amari Rodgers, sophomore
WR: Hunter Renfrow, senior (RS) | Trevion Thompson, senior (RS)
Outside of Renfrow, who led Clemson in receptions (60) last season, this group is largely inexperienced. They’ve all seen the field, but none of these players caught more than 20 balls last season. Having said that, Overton and Powell have big-play ability and Higgins and Rodgers, though young, could come in and showcase some playmaking as well if called upon.
TE: Milan Richard, senior (RS) | Cannon Smith, senior (RS)
Richard was tasked with replacing the productive Jordan Leggett last season and did so well enough, though he’s more polished as a blocker and less of a receiving threat than his predecessor. He could see more of a pass-catching role in 2018, but he still likely won’t be a focal point of the offense.
LT: Mitch Hyatt, senior | Blake Vinson, sophomore
LG: John Simpson, junior | Matt Bockhorst, sophomore
C: Justin Falcinelli, senior (RS) | Gage Cervenka, junior (RS)
RG: Sean Pollard, junior | Cade Stewart, sophomore
RT: Tremayne Anchrum, junior | Sean Pollard, junior
Hyatt is the star of this group, an NFL-quality left tackle that has the ability to both run and pass block with great effectiveness. There are some questions on the right side, most notably with Pollard moving inside to guard from his natural tackle position. That highlights a slight lack of depth up front for the Tigers, but not in any debilitating way.