Clemson football: Things to keep an eye on as camp opens
By John Chancey
Who will emerge at linebacker? And where will they emerge?
Linebacker feels similar to wide receiver, but for different reasons. We know Trenton Simpson will be the lone returning starter at linebacker, but we aren’t completely sure where he will start, for a couple reasons.
New defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin has indicated that Simpson took reps at middle linebacker (MIKE) and weak-side linebacker (WILL) in addition to his 2021 starting position of strong-side linebacker (SAM) this spring. Part of this logic is finding a way to keep Simpson on the field when the defense removes the SAM in favor of a corner or a hybrid-safety.
Another factor here is the other two players that will join Simpson on the field. Goodwin has several options, including Barrett Carter. A lot of observers think Carter is very talented, but like Simpson, he tends to rep the SAM position. Simpson might be the most talented linebacker on Clemson’s roster, and if he is talented enough to perform well at MIKE or WILL, that gives Goodwin the chance to get Carter on the field at SAM.
Other candidates to start include Jeremiah Trotter, LaVonta Bentley, Keith Maguire and Sergio Allen, all of whom fit into the scheme in different ways. I am very curious to see who fits where, partly because I am not sure which players will emerge, but also because I want to see what shape the linebacker corps will take under Goodwin’s leadership. Like others, I tend to think Simpson will have Carter and Trotter beside him in the starting lineup, but there might be surprises here.