Clemson Football kicked off fall camp this past week. As usual, they will get a few practices under their belts before they hold their first intrasquad scrimmage.
Alas, I am not one of the privileged who will be allowed to observe the scrimmage, so I will be eagerly awaiting the reports from the people who get to watch.
Here are the things I am most eager to learn about from the first scrimmage.
Quarterback: this is simple. Did Cade Klubnik protect the ball? The turnovers must improve for Clemson this season, and it must start with Klubnik.
Who runs out second? Chris Vizzina or Trent Pearman?
Clemson currently has Aug. 10 pegged as the first scrimmage. https://t.co/CJyULWjGeb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) August 2, 2024
Running back: Who runs out there following Phil Mafah? The presumption has been that Keith Adams, Jr. would be the first off the bench, so the real intrigue is who is next. Jay Haynes? Jarvis Green? Could the freshman David Eziomume get snaps? Or even a walk-on like Peyton Streko?
Additionally, how do the running backs look in pass protection?
Wide receiver: it might be easier to say what I am not interested in knowing about the wide receivers.
How did the freshmen Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore perform?
Who are the first three out for the offense? Barring injury, we assume Antonio Williams and Tyler Brown will be among them. Who gets that third spot? Troy Stellato? Adam Randall? One of the freshmen?
Speaking of Williams and Brown, where do they line up? Both have been contributors at the slot position, but if they are only running three receivers, one of them will be lining up on the outside.
Related to that topic, could we see four receiver sets? Could we see Williams and Brown both line up inside with, say, Stellato and Moore on the outside?
Offensive line: what will the starting line-up be? Could we see any surprises as Matt Luke prepares for his first game with the Tigers against his former employer?
Who trots out first at center? Ryan Linthicum, Harris Sewell, or Trent Howard?
How many second-stringers rotate in? Which ones? It seems likely that Colin Sadler will be used, as well as Sewell (assuming he is not at center). Who else has gained Luke’s confidence?
Defensive line: where is Peter Woods? Is he at defensive end as we expect? How long does he stay there before he moves inside?
Does AJ Hoffler or Jaheim Lawson get any significant snaps at end?
Where does Vic Burley stand? It seems unanimous that Burley could be a force inside, but his health and conditioning still seem to be concerns.
Linebacker: the rotation as a whole is the biggest question, but specifically where and how much does Sammy Brown fit into the equation?
Cornerback: Which two trot out there first? Many seem to agree that Avieon Terrell will be one of them, therefore the question seems to be whether Jeadyn Lukus or Shelton Lewis get the other spot.
Following three players, does the cornerback room have any functional depth yet? Where does Brandon Strozier fit? Does Tavoy Feagin look as ready as he did in the Spring Game? Is Corian Gipson recovered and ready to compete at this level?
Safety: Who is the third guy behind RJ Mickens and Khalil Barnes? My prediction has been Kylon Griffin, but Sherrod Covil is probably in the mix as well. It could also be Tyler Venables.
Final question for the defensive backs: is Ashton Hampton a corner or a safety? Or will we even have a chance to determine that yet? He is listed as a corner but I have read speculation regarding where he will fit best.
Special teams: will this scrimmage give us any insight at all into the battle between Robert Gunn and Nolan Hauser?
Who is taking returns for the Tigers? Is Tink Kelley still the man or are others going to get the opportunity? Will we see Kelley anywhere else beyond special teams? He is listed as a wide receiver/defensive back hybrid.