Clemson Football Redshirt Report: Jake Venables, Linebacker
Clemson football linebacker Jake Venables redshirted his freshman season. Now, he will look to make an impact and earn some playing time in 2019.
The 2018 Clemson football team was the best in school history, in my opinion.
As a matter of fact, the 2018 Tiger team is one of the best- if not the best- team to ever play in College Football history.
As we look back at the 2018 season, there are many reasons to be positive about the Tigers’ chances for success in 2019.
Many players who redshirted last year will now have a chance to grow into contributing roles. As we continue our Clemson football redshirt report, let’s take a look at LB Jake Venables and where he fits on this 2019 team.
Analysis:
Jake Venables is more than just a coach’s son. I know a lot of times people want to go ahead and just write off a guy like Venables because his dad is the Defensive Coordinator.
Venables was a solid 3-star linebacker coming out of high school and has been taught from a very early age how to play the position.
His father has been forming him for years. His football IQ is through the roof and, when I watch his film, I see a lot of attributes of a linebacker that could find himself in the NFL one day.
Venables still has a long way to go, but his physicality and run-stopping ability. Venables plays with passion and, honestly, exhibits a lot of the traits of his father. He reminds me a bit of a Ben Boulware or Spencer Shuey, perhaps with a bit quicker feet.
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Where does he fit?
Venables will, without a doubt, make an impact on special teams this year. I also think you could see him factor into the two-deep at linebacker.
You’ll see him get some snaps and playing time. It’ll be up to him to earn more time as the season progresses, though. I’m interested in watching him in the spring and seeing how he’s able to perform.