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2015 Clemson Football Depth Chart Projections – Running Back

By Dan Kelley

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Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Tyshon Dye (23) carries the ball during the second half of the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

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One guy a lot of Clemson football fans will have their eyes on in spring practice and training camp will be Tyshon Dye.

After injuries kept Dye from the field for the better part of the 2014 season, the redshirt freshman finally made it back during the Tigers’ ninth game of the season, against Wake Forest.

However, Dye really only got a chance to show what he could do in the Georgia State game, two weeks later. In a game the Tigers never really had to worry about losing, Dye ran 20 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. It was enough to prove that he was healthy but, given the opposition, not enough to prove that he will be a contender for the starting job in 2015.

Of course, that’s not to say that it couldn’t happen. We just don’t know how he stacks up now, given his lack of meaningful playing time. For now, he looks like about the fourth back on the depth chart for Clemson, but he could climb the ladder rapidly.

One guy we probably can rule out as a potential starter, though, is C.J. Davidson.

Davidson was one of several backs to get playing time early in the year, when the Tigers were struggling to run the ball. But as Gallman became more established in the second half of the year, Davidson’s role in the offense shrunk.

After getting nine carries against Syracuse, Davidson only received three rushing attempts apiece against Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. Then he didn’t get a chance to run the ball at all in Clemson’s last two regular-season games. In the Russell Athletic Bowl, Davidson took just two carries for three yards.

Finally, Clemson football fans will also need to watch for C.J. Fuller next year.

Fuller will be a redshirt freshman, so it will be his first chance to earn some time on the field. However, with all the talent in front of him, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the former 3-star prospect ended up changing positions. Fuller also played cornerback in high school.

The path to playing time for Fuller looks much clearer (or at least shorter) on defense. The Tigers will not have another freshman running back next year, as they are not taking one in the 2015 recruiting class. However, Choice and Dye will both be sophomores next year, so Fuller might still have a very long wait before he could see the field as a running back.

Clemson is simply loaded at running back now and that should continue for at least a few more years.

Next: Leaving a Legacy: Clemson's Seniors Now and Then (Part 2)

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