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Clemson football: In-depth analysis of Texas A&M and South Carolina spring games

By Tyreese Ingram

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 24: Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp shakes hands with Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher following a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 24, 2012 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 24: Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp shakes hands with Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher following a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 24, 2012 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Texas A&M

Quarterbacks. Freshman Kellen Mond and redshirt freshman Nick Starkel are vying for the starting job and both, on the surface, appeared to play well. Mond, a former four-star recruit, is the better runner and Starkel the better passer. Mond was 19-of-26 for 180 yards and three touchdowns for the victorious White team and Starkel 26-of-42 for 373 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

“Nah, we’re not ready to name a starter at all,” said Fisher in his post game interview. “I think Kellen has done a great job and Nick has too. I think we got two quarterbacks there, and I think you saw [Connor]Blumrick come in and make a nice throw and a couple nice runs early.”

Fisher continued the discussion on his quarterbacks, and he wanted it to be known that they were learning a new system and that it was too early to name a starter.

“We’re just now getting into the fine tuning and nuisances that really makes it go, and they both haven’t had the time to really know it.

Running backs. Trayveon Williams is the starter. He is shifty, capable of running between the tackles and a threat in the passing game. Williams finished the game with 113(53 rushing, 58 receiving) total yards, and Kwami Etwi had a game-high 86 yards on 11 rushes and a 55-yard scoring run.

Receivers. This group has some length and size and the best of the group are Jhamon Ausbon(6-foot-2, 220 lbs) and Kendrick Rogers(6-foot-3, 210 lbs). Rogers was Mond’s favorite target and when Starkel wasn’t finding his tight end, he leaned on Ausbon. Rogers(8 catches, 90) is taller and the deep threat while Ausbon(6 catches, 124) is a threat from anywhere on the field.

Tight end. Jace Sternberger, the spring MVP, shined in Jimbo Fisher’s offense like Nick O’Leary did at Florida State. He was a handful in this game. Sternberger had eight catches, a game-high 147 yards and touchdowns of 11 and 65 yards.

“When you have a tight end, one that’s great on third down, great on play-action, great in the red zone,” Fisher said. “But then when that guy can get vertical, when your tight end can get vertical that adds another dimension.”

Fisher continued to applaud Sternberger. “That’s actually the first time ever, and I’ve been around some really good tight ends, that I’ve had a tight end win MVP of the Spring.”

Defense. The Aggies have some talent on defense, specifically, in the front seven. Defensive linemen Kingsley Keke(1 sack, 2 TFLs, 3 QBHs) and former five-star nose tackle Daylon Mack(one sack) had their moments and seem to be the best of the bunch. Linebackers Tyrel Dobson(Maroon) and Buddy Johnson(White) were the top tacklers with seven tackles each.

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