Clemson Football: 5 Tigers with the most to gain in spring practice

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: The Clemson Tigers mascot reacts on the sideline in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

1. Xavier Kelly

We never even made off the defensive side of the ball.

Sticking with the theme of waiting their turn, Xavier Kelly is a guy that has patiently waited his turn to earn big playing time with the Tigers.

Kelly came in as a 4-star DE, but moved inside to create more depth. He has played behind the likes of Christian Wilkins, Albert Huggins and Dexter Lawrence, as well as several others. Coming into the spring, Kelly was expected to be the backup behind Nyles Pinckney and Jordan Williams.

With both of those guys out with injuries, though, Kelly has an opportunity to get starter reps during the spring.

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He could earn some major playing time and narrow the gap between him and Pinckney and Williams.

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