Clemson Football: Wayne Gallman is the most significant loss for Tigers in 2017
The Clemson football program is coming off of a historical 2016 season, which ended in a National Championship victory over Alabama. Entering the 2017 season, it is paramount that Clemson idenfity a replacement for All-ACC running back Wayne Gallman.
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Replacing Gallman is not a matter of who. Clemson has three capable backs in C.J. Fuller, Adam Choice and Tavien Feaster. The issue lies in the word “capable”, because when you get right down to it that means that the coaches have belief that the players can perform at a high level, however they have yet to actually produce.
Fuller, Choice and Feaster have all played sparingly during their time at Clemson, yet none have been “the guy”. Gallman has been the bonafide No. 1 running back at Clemson for the past three seasons. Now it’s time for one of the new faces to step up.
Offensive identity
The Tigers will also be breaking in a new starter at quarterback in 2017. For that reason, Clemson’s offensive identity will change. Being able to effectively run the football will take a world of pressure off of Clemson’s new signal caller.
If Clemson hopes to sustain their high level of success in 2017, they must be able to run the football. Take Alabama for example, who was able to make it to the National Championship game in back-to-back seasons with a first time starter at quarterback. The Tide are able to remain among college football’s elite, because of their dominant rushing attack. Alabama has fell out of the top 35 in rushing offense just once in Nick Saban’s nine seasons as head coach.
Clemson must commit to running the football early and often in 2017 if they hope to keep defense’s guessing.
Options
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The potential is there for each of Clemson’s running backs. C.J. Fuller has shown flashes of brilliance during his limited snaps as a Tiger. He is a physical runner with deceptive speed and a reliable pair of hands.
As a freshman, Adam Choice got off to a blazing start at Clemson, starting over fellow freshman Wayne Gallman. If it wasn’t for a season ending knee injury, Choice may have been the one entering the NFL draft early. With his size and ability to make quick decisive cuts, Choice is an intriguing option for Clemson.
Rounding out Clemson’s group of talented running backs is Tavien Feaster. Coming out of high school, Feaster was rated as the No. 1 all-purpose back in the country according to 247sports. Despite the hype, Feaster was never able to get a solid footing during his freshman season carrying the ball just 37 times in 2016. Being as though Feaster is only a sophomore he gets some leeway. That being said, he is undoubtedly the most physically gifted back on Clemson’s roster.
The Tigers do not need one guy to carry the load like Gallman did during his time as a starter. That being said, each back must perform to the best of his abilities for Clemson’s offense to succeed in 2017.
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