Clemson football: 3 offseason questions Tigers need to answer
By John Buhler
2. How much an impact will losing both coordinators from last season have?
Great programs lose terrific assistant coaches all the time to head-coaching opportunities, but Clemson will really be up against it this year, alright. Not only did longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables leave for a job a lifetime at Oklahoma, but offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is taking over the reins at another interesting situation with Virginia. How does Clemson adapt here?
The Tigers opted to promote from within with Wes Goodwin taking over for Venables and Brandon Streeter running the offense now after Elliott’s departure to Charlottesville. Ultimately, it is going to be a work-in-progress for both coordinators as they grow into their new roles. However, this is a tremendous opportunity for Swinney to prove to everyone why he is a transcendent head coach.
As with filling the Skalski leadership void, Clemson is fortunate to where it can do this on the fly.
1. Is D.J. Uiagalelei ever going to be the guy or will Cade Klubnik seize the day?
No doubt about it, this is by far and away the biggest concern for Clemson. Is D.J. Uiagalelei going to ever be the guy or not? While he had his moments filling in for Trevor Lawrence as a true freshman two years ago, his first season as the starter was not great, Bob. The former five-star has all the talent in the world, but if he cannot put it together, then let’s give Cade Klubnik a shot.
The fact that the true freshman from Austin has a real chance at overtaking Uiagalelei for the starting job speaks volumes. Clemson certainly hit the jackpot by landing two generational quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson and Lawrence pretty much back-to-back. Though Uiagalelei can prove all his doubters wrong with a great year, the amount of pressure he is facing is gargantuan.
The only way Clemson makes the playoff is if Uiagalelei — or Klubnik — plays at a Heisman Trophy level.
Next. Best college football duos of the modern era. dark
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.