Clemson Football Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed is one of the best in the business, and his resume speaks for itself. He will have a tough job in 2024, however. Here are the three main questions I have about his room as we cruise through spring practices.
Is the position deep enough to withstand injuries during the season?
Cornerback has been a position group that feels like it rarely gets old.
In 2021, Clemson had the veteran Mario Goodrich in the starting lineup alongside junior Andrew Booth. Goodrich was there as a senior because injuries had interfered with his progress when he was younger.
Otherwise, it's been rare that the Tigers have had experienced depth. Guys like Sheridan Jones have been the exception to the rule, not the rule. Clemson benefitted from having young players like Avieon Terrell and Shelton Lewis last season when Jones and Jeadyn Lukus were injured.
Assuming Lukus returns at full strength, he, Terrell, and Lewis should form a good triumvirate to cover the two starting cornerback spots. Would the rest of the depth chart be up to the task if that group loses time to injuries?
There are only two players with experience after the top three: redshirt sophomore Myles Oliver and redshirt freshman Brandon Strozier. Oliver spent most of his first two seasons in the program injured, and Strozier is missing the spring due to recovery from surgery.
The top of the position looks good, but after that, it is paper thin.
Next: Are the second-year guys ready, or is the sophomore slump awaiting?