2015 Clemson Football Depth Chart Projections – Running Back

Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) carries the ball during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Wayne Gallman

Wayne Gallman was Clemson’s leading rusher in 2014, so he will most likely enter spring practice as the top running back on the depth chart. But given the talent Clemson has at the position, it isn’t hard to imagine him being displaced, particularly if he takes the starting job for granted.

As a redshirt freshman this past season, Gallman rushed for 769 yards and four touchdowns on 161 carries. He also added 108 receiving yards and a touchdown on 24 receptions.

However, Gallman still has a lot to prove. His 4.8 ypc carry average was inflated by stretch at the end of the season where the Tigers played a number of very poor run defenses.

After eight games, Gallman’s average was a somewhat pedestrian 3.9 ypc. In the final four games of the season, Gallman averaged at least 5.6 yards per carry in each contest.

Those last four games were against Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and South Carolina. Of those teams, only the Demon Deacons were in the top 100 nationally in yards per carry allowed. Wake averaged 4.4 ypc allowed, which put them at No. 76 in the nation.

Gallman’s best game came against the South Carolina Gamecocks, who were 117th in college football in yards per carry allowed, with 5.4. He obliterated the Gamecocks defense to the tune of 191 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

That single performance produced about a quarter of Gallman’s rushing yards for the season. If he hopes to remain the starter for Clemson next year, he will need to start putting up numbers like that more consistently.

Next: Running Back No. 2