Clemson Football 2017: Predicting the Quarterback Situation

The Competitors: Kelly Bryant

• Kelly Bryant: 6-3, 222 lbs, Junior

The favorite to win the starting position is junior Kelly Bryant. Bryant has an uncanny ability to run the ball and is extremely strong as well.

He has continued to grow as a passer during his time in Tiger Town and came into fall camp with a renewed sense of confidence that very well may be the difference maker in the quarterback competition.

From all accounts from the coaches, Bryant has been the most consistent in the drills and has taken reins of the offense. He has taken upon himself a leadership role and that puts him in the lead.

I know and understand completely that Clemson football runs a system and they are going to stick to their system.

But, I don’t care who you are, the offense is tailored to the quarterback. That’s why the offense looked different when Deshaun Watson was capable of running the ball versus when the offense was just relying on him to be a passer.

Here’s what the offense would look like with Kelly Bryant at quarterback.

What would the offense look like?

The best way to word this is a “smash-mouth spread.”

You’re going to look to read-option and then once the defense collapses, hit a pass down the field. There would also be a heavy screen and short-passing game to get Bryant going in that regard.

I’d expect to see him run the ball close to 20 times a game and then the running backs to get their fair share of carries. Now, before you say that this wouldn’t utilize Clemson’s wide receiver talent, don’t think the Tigers will never pass the ball.

The idea will be to get the ball out in space to the play-makers and to still take some shots down the field to keep the defense honest. But the focal point would be that read-option game with Kelly Bryant, the wide receivers, and running back talents like Tavien Feaster.