2015 Clemson Football Season: Five Burning Questions

Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers fans wait for the players to arrive before the Tiger Walk prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Will Clemson improve on special teams?

Clemson has been sub-par at best on special teams the past few seasons. The Tigers have had an elite punter in Bradley Pinion, but have lacked any kind of return game since the days of C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford. All of that, mixed in with the fact that the Tigers have lost kicker Ammon Lakip for at least a couple of games due to a suspension makes for a huge question on special teams.

Who fills in for Bradley Pinion? Is there a return threat among the bunch of returners? Can Alex Spence be a consistent kicking option? All of these questions make for a concern in this phase of the game. Clemson has to get better on special teams. I’ll be honest, every time a team caught the ball on a kick return, I was worried they were going to take it for a touchdown. The Tigers need to replace a couple of strong legs and improve on their coverage.

All of that being said, Clemson should have an explosive threat in Ray-Ray McCloud to return punts this season and it should be interesting to see the kicking and punting battles going on in fall camp. The Tigers need answers in this phase of the game and hopefully they get some in fall camp before the season begins.

Next: Question 4: Rebuilding or Reloading?