The Clemson football team will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Thursday evening in Death Valley. Here’s our depth chart breakdown for the Tigers.
The Clemson football coaching staff released the first 2019 depth chart just a few days ago and there were a few surprises.
Each and every week, Rubbing the Rock will have a depth chart breakdown comparing and contrasting each position unit, as well as looking at changes and position battles on the Clemson football depth chart.
As we head into the season opener, we’re going to focus mainly on the Clemson football depth chart. Georgia Tech Head Coach Geoff Collins didn’t release a depth chart for the Yellow Jackets, but rather has an ‘above the line’ roster where he just states that players are ready to play if they are called upon.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech: Depth Chart Breakdown
This game is more about Clemson football than it is anything else. It will be interesting to see what kind of offense Georgia Tech lines up in, but other than that this is more about the Tigers.
When the 2019 depth chart was released, the most interesting position had to be the defensive line. Currently, only Nyles Pinckney (DT) is listed as a starter. Jordan Williams and freshman Tyler Davis are listed as co-starters at the other defensive tackle position, but it is expected that Williams will likely run out first considering that ties go to the veteran in the program. Still, I would expect to see a lot of Davis early and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the true-freshman earn the starting position before the end of the season.
At defensive end, Logan Rudolph is listed as a co-starter at both sides. He is listed with Xavier Thomas and Justin Foster. However, on the lines of the depth chart, Rudolph is listed first ahead of Foster and second behind Thomas. For what it’s worth, we expect to see a heavy dose of all three, as well as KJ Henry, during the game with Rudolph and Thomas running out first.
The defensive backfield has been set for a while with Derion Kendrick (CB), AJ Terrell (CB), Tanner Muse (FS) and K’Von Wallace (SS) listed as the starters. The secondary also has plenty of depth with the likes of Sheridan Jones (CB), Mario Goodrich (CB), Andrew Booth (CB), Nolan Turner (S) and Denzel Johnson (S).
Offensively, one of the biggest surprises is at tight end. Former walk-on Luke Price is listed as a co-backup with Jaelyn Lay at tight end behind JC Chalk. Price is expected to see decent playing time and has reportedly had a really good camp.
Darien Rencher is the lone running back listed behind Travis Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon with neither freshman coming in on the depth chart.
At wide receiver, Diondre Overton is listed as the starter at the slot receiver spot. Freshman Joseph Ngata is the backup behind Tee Higgins and Cornell Powell is the backup behind Justyn Ross, though it should be expected that the wide receivers will rotate.
Derion Kendrick and Joseph Ngata are listed as the two kickoff returners and Kendrick will handle punt returner duties, as well.