5 redshirt freshmen who can make an impact for Clemson Football

Clemson Football had some good freshmen who redshirted because of injury or illness. Here are five who could make an impact in 2024.

Clemson defensive lineman Vic Burley (45) during the first practice at Clemson, S.C. Friday, August 4, 2023.
Clemson defensive lineman Vic Burley (45) during the first practice at Clemson, S.C. Friday, August 4, 2023. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Dee Crayton

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia

High School: Denmark High School

247Sports Composite Rating: 3-star

Height: 6’-2”

Weight: 225 pounds

Reason for redshirt: Buried on the depth chart

Crayton is the one guy who simply had guys ahead of him on the depth chart that I’ve included here. Linebacker is a curious position these days for Clemson. It is still important: the guys in the middle are critical, but the defense tends to utilize two these days, instead of the traditional 3-player formation used in the past.

Therefore, the scenarios of who is likely to be used the most can be quite complicated. Barrett Carter is a given at WILL. It appears Wade Woodaz is next up at MIKE, but he is also capable of playing anywhere the Tigers need him, including SAM, and as a backup for Carter at WILL as well.

Then there is Sammy Brown, who generally appears to be the future MIKE. For grins & giggles, let’s call those three the first-string.

Next, there is Kobe McCloud, who appears to have gained the staff’s trust, and Jamal Anderson. Anderson seemed to be destined as a SAM, but he could be cross-training as well.

If we want a third guy for the two-deep, Crayton would be the name. Like Anderson, his flexibility with positions could dictate how much he is used. If Anderson is locked in as a SAM (which is often taken off the field in favor of the nickel/safety hybrid), then his opportunities might be limited. If the need arises at WILL or MIKE, Crayton might be a better candidate to get snaps there. There are simply a lot of unknowns at linebacker.