Clemson Football: How many snaps did expected 2019 starters get in 2018 as backups?

The Clemson football program has been constructed on building depth across positions. So, how many snaps did some of the new starters get last season?

Clemson football will have to replace several starters off of last year’s National Championship-winning team.

Among those starters include guys like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Kendall Joseph, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Tre Lamar, Trayvon Mullen, Mitch Hyatt and Hunter Renfrow.

So, we wanted to take a look at just how much experience some of these potential replacements have heading into the 2019 season.

First, we’ll take a look at the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive Participation in 2018 (Potential/Expected new starters)

• Jackson Carman (LT): 209 snaps
• Gage Cervenka (C): 549 snaps
• J.C. Chalk (TE): 105 snaps
• Jaelyn Lay (TE): 0 snaps (true-freshman)

The Tigers have four openings, technically, for starters offensively. Mitch Hyatt (LT), Justin Falcinelli (C), Milan Richard (TE) and Hunter Renfrow (WR).

I didn’t list Braden Galloway at tight end because he needs his suspension to be lifted before being considered.

I also didn’t list wide receivers because all of those guys- whether it be Derion Kendrick, Justyn Ross, Cornell Powell, Diondre Overton or several others- have garnered playing time.

Defensive Participation in 2018 (Potential/Expected New Starters)

• Xavier Thomas (DE): 304 snaps
• Nyles Pinckney (DT): 316 snaps
• Jordan Williams  (DT): 147 snaps
• Darnell Jefferies (DT): 2 snaps (redshirted)
• Justin Foster (DE): 180 snaps
• KJ Henry (DE): 39 snaps (redshirted)
• Jamie Skalski (LB): 38 snaps (redshirted)
• Shaq Smith (LB): 140 snaps
• Kyler McMichael (CB): 101 snaps
• Mario Goodrich (CB): 113 snaps

The Tigers will have to replace seven starters off of last year’s defense (Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Kendall Joseph, Trayvon Mullen and Tre Lamar).

Keep in mind, we’re not saying that all these guys will start. These are potential- or expected- starters heading into 2019. The defensive line has several guys listed because there’s going to be competition there. There probably could be a couple of other guys considered, but this is the list we’re going with.

You’ve got three guys that redshirted on this list. Keep in mind that both Pinckney and Williams were expected starters, but will miss the spring due to injuries.

These snap numbers don’t include special teams participation. It’s good to see that some of these young guys got playing time in 2018 and hopefully that will translate to them being more prepared as they take bigger roles in 2019.