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Clemson Football: 5 Breakout Candidates for the Spring 2019

By Shawn Spencer

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 10: The Clemson Tigers sing their fight song after the victory over the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 10: The Clemson Tigers sing their fight song after the victory over the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Shaq Smith #5 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 (not pictured) threw a 2-yard game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow #13 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game 35-31 at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Shaq Smith #5 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 (not pictured) threw a 2-yard game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow #13 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game 35-31 at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Shaq Smith

Sticking with linebaker, Shaq Smith is another guy with a huge opportunity in the spring of 2019.

Smith was highly-touted coming out of high school, but hasn’t earned a ton of playing to this point in his career. Now, I believe it’s his time to shine.

Smith needs a big spring because he’s got several talented freshmen coming in the fall- and a couple of talented redshirt freshmen that will compete in the spring- that are looking to break into the start lineup.

If he doesn’t have a solid performance now, he may very well get surpassed by some of the younger talents.

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