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Clemson Football: DB injuries open up door for freshman Andrew Booth

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive lineman K.J. Henry #13 of the Clemson Tigers reacts as he runs off the field with teammates safety Nolan Turner #24, linebacker Jalen Williams #30, defensive back Mario Goodrich #31, and defensive end Logan Rudolph #54 after the Tigers force a Furman Paladins fumble during the fourth quarter of the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive lineman K.J. Henry #13 of the Clemson Tigers reacts as he runs off the field with teammates safety Nolan Turner #24, linebacker Jalen Williams #30, defensive back Mario Goodrich #31, and defensive end Logan Rudolph #54 after the Tigers force a Furman Paladins fumble during the fourth quarter of the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson football defensive backfield has been relatively thin due to injuries during spring practice. That will open up the door for talented freshman Andrew Booth.

The Clemson football defensive backfield is one of the most experienced groups coming into the season.

With returners like Isaiah Simmons, K’Von Wallace, Tanner Muse and AJ Terrell- all starters last season- the Tigers have plenty of experience to build upon.

But, Clemson lost starting cornerback Trayvon Mullen to the NFL Draft, leaving one starting position open at cornerback and some big shoes to fill.

Coming into the spring, we were saying how Kyler McMichael would have a chance to etch his name into the starting lineup after playing as the backup to Mullen last season. Unfortunately, though, McMichael- along with several other Tigers- suffered minor injuries that has held him out for the majority of the spring.

Though Dabo Swinney has said that he has been impressed with Mario Goodrich- who was also injured earlier in the spring- Swinney said that Goodrich was working more at the boundary corner position where AJ Terrell will play. Freshman Sheridan Jones has been impressive at times, but the overall depth at the position is down, which has led to WR Derion Kendrick cross-training and playing a majority of the spring snaps at corner.

Kendrick is still expected to play wide receiver, for the most part, in 2019. So, that leaves a whole that isn’t going to be filled in the spring.

Could that lull or inability to lockdown a spot on the depth chart prove costly for some of those guys already on campus? It certainly could hurt because there is a guy coming this summer that is more than capable of stepping in right away.

That man is Andrew Booth.

Booth, a 5-star cornerback, will arrive on campus this summer and will go through fall camp. There’s a good chance, in my opinion, he competes hard for that starting position opposite-side of AJ Terrell.

Next. 4-star OL commit Paul Tchio on the rise. dark

There’s no doubt that Booth is ready to compete. It will just depend on if he has enough time to learn the defense and play the position with poise.

The injuries in the spring at cornerback, though small, could lead to the door being left open for freshman Booth to win the starting position. It’s certainly not out of the question at this point.

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