2007 OL Preview

By: Roy Philpott

Reading many national publications this offseason would lead you to believe the Tigers are breaking in five new starters on the offensive line, with all five being freshmen or sophomores.

The reality is nothing could be further from the truth.

Believe it or not, four seniors are currently penciled in as starters entering fall practice, and one of those starters is a preseason All-American in Barry Richardson.

Yes there are justified concerns, particularly at center and right tackle. And yes, many of this year's starters have primarily served as backups the last two seasons, but there is plenty of experience returning in 2007 and an influx of youth with outstanding potential.

Here's a look at Clemson's offensive line headed into August:

LEFT TACKLE: BARRY RICHARDSON, CHRIS HAIRSTON
The Tigers are solid at left tackle with likely first-round draft pick Barry Richardson returning for his senior season. It must be noted however that Richardson, a preseason All-American, must be more consistent Clemson to improve its offensive line play this year. Redshirt freshman Chris Hairston has yet to see the field but has good size at 6-6, 310 pounds. The soft-spoken Richardson must also be depended on for leadership, even though he's admitted he's more of a leader by example than anything else.

“I always want to prove myself," Richardson told CUTigers in a recent interview. "I always want to give it all. I don’t want to be that person who goes into his last year and people think I sandbagged the whole time. I’m going to go out there and play hard."

LEFT GUARD: CHRIS MCDUFFIE, BOBBY HUTCHINSON
When senior Roman Fry tore his ACL halfway through the 2006 season, Clemson's offensive line was never quite the same. While it was bad for last season, it was good for Chris McDuffie to gain valuable experience before stepping into a fulltime starting position this year. McDuffie, now a senior, has the size and ability to get the job done. However his backup, Bobby Hutchinson is largely unproven.

CENTER: BARRY HUMPHRIES, BEN RAMSEY
The center position is considered by many to be the largest question mark headed into the start of fall practice. Barry Humphries steps in for Dustin Fry, who was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in April. Humphries had a strong spring but still must prove himself this season. His backup, walk-on Ben Ramsey, beat out Hutchinson as Humphries' backup and has drawn high praise from the coaching staff. Thomas Austin could provide additional depth here if needed.

RIGHT GUARD: BRANDON PILGRIM, THOMAS AUSTIN
Senior Brandon Pilgrim has been with the program since 2003, but should be in a battle for playing time this year with redshirt sophomore Thomas Austin. Austin is viewed as one of the most talented linemen on the roster and he could overtake Pilgrim or be moved to another position to secure additional playing time. The Tigers should be fine here with an experienced veteran as the starter and a star in the making as his backup.

RIGHT TACKLE: CHRIS CAPOTE, CORY LAMBERT, LANDON WALKER
Senior Chris Capote steps into a starting role this season but will be challenged by several younger players. Capote, who stands in at 6-4, 295 pounds has 6-6, 300 pound Cory Lambert right behind him, while 6-7, 280 pound freshman Landon Walker will also compete for playing time. Right tackle is the biggest question mark entering fall practice. Capote has been a career second and third teamer and there is little experience behind him.

SUMMARY: I'm in the minority with what I'm getting ready to write, but I'll write it anyway. This year's offensive line has the potential to be better than last year's line featuring seniors Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes.

Sure, there was experienced talent returning last season, but it is important to remember this coaching staff has recruited at a high level now for the past three years. The younger players coming in have more talent than the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.

Nowhere is that evident more than the offensive line.

Thomas Austin is a future high round draft pick in the making. Barry Richardson, we know with certainty, is already a high-round draft pick next year. Barry Humphries, while still unproven, has the potential to be a good one as well. Chris McDuffie now has a handful of games of experience as a starter and should be fine. Younger players such as Landon Walker and Chris Hairston will be brought along slowly but have both size and talent.

Right tackle is still a question entering fall practice, but this unit has plenty of potential. It also helps Clemson will return two of the nation's top running backs in C.J. Spiller and James Davis.

While it may take a few games for this unit to reach its full potential, keep in mind the Tigers like to use multiple tight end sets. That means players like Akeem Robinson, Michael Palmer and Durrell Barry, all big bodies, can help out in max-protect situations.

ACC Media Days

By: Roy Philpott

Here are early thoughts from day one of ACC Media Days, live from Pinehurst, N.C.

CLEMSON NOTE: Barry Richardson has replaced James Davis as one of Clemson's representatives this year. Davis was a late scratch due to personal reasons. Phillip Merling is also here.

BEST QUOTE (PLAYER): Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice was easily the most animated player to talk to during the early afternoon session. Choice, who led the ACC in rushing a year ago, said the ACC is one of the top conferences in the country this year when it comes to the running back position.

Of course, most of the so-called experts would agree.

With Choice, Clemson's James Davis and C.J. Spiller, Virginia Tech's Branden Ore and N.C. State's Toney Baker and Andre Brown among others, the league is as deep as any in the nation.

Choice said he doesn't mind the fact he may not be the most "well-known" back of that group.

"I know James and C.J.," he said. "James is from Atlanta. I like their games. I like all their games. People will say I'm underrated. People will say I'm the sleeper back and I'm cool with that. That's what people have been telling me my whole life. But when I'm on the field when it counts, I'm one of the best out there."

Choice also said reaching the ACC Championship game last year in Jacksonville, only to come up three points short against Wake Forest has been a big motivator for him this offseason.

"That's all I think about when I work out this summer," he said. "I can't even tell you. I've been working so hard this summer to get back to that moment."

Listen to Choice discuss the ACC's top running backs, Georgia Tech's quarterback situation and more by clicking here.

ALL SMILES: Florida State running back Antone Smith is expected to carry the load this year in Jimbo Fisher's new offense in Tallahassee. Sunday, Smith had no problem flashing a golden smile whenever asked about expectations both for him and the Seminoles this year. No, that's not a misprint, Smith's smile was indeed golden. He was showcasing a mouthful of gold teeth - 13 to be exact.

HOKIE NATION COMING TOGETHER: It's understandable that the upcoming season in Blacksburg, Va. will be an emotional one after the events that unfolded in April. Naturally you can understand that the two representatives here in Pinehurst from Virginia Tech, DT Carlton Powell and OG Duane Brown, were asked dozens of questions on what they were expecting this year.

Perhaps Powell said it best when asked he thought the team would respond in their season opener Sept. 1 against East Carolina, "We are Virginia Tech. We are a close knit team with close knit players. We are close with the coaches, the students, the faculty here. It's how we are.

"But our first games are always exciting. I'm sure this year could be more emotional given what's happened."

BLUE DEVILS NEED THAT FIRST WIN: To say it's been a long time since Duke has won a meaningful football game would be a gross understatement. You have to go all the way back to 2004 when Duke last beat a Division I-A program.

Senior free safety Chris Davis said the key for his team entering the season is to pick up an early win to help build some much-needed confidence.

"You want to get that first win," he said. "The past three years we've come down to the wire in the first game and we always end up losing. Some guys will say after that, 'here we go again.' It's definitely a mental thing and a momentum thing with that first game. That's one we have to get."

The Blue Devils open their 2007 slate at home on Sept. 1 against Connecticut.

RYAN REMEMBERS: Boston College QB Matt Ryan said Sunday he remembers the Eagles' last trip to Clemson all too well.

"I've never seen so much orange my entire life," he said. "The thing I remember most about that day was that it was really hot and I also took a shot. But the most important thing about that day is that we got the win. That was a big win for B.C. because it was our first win in the conference. That was a very big win."

The "shot" Ryan is referring to is, of course, the hit from former Tiger LB David Dunham that knocked his helmet off. It is a play that is still shown on college football highlights around the country to this very day.

Boston College returns to Death Valley this season on Nov. 17.

Ryan also said he has no ill-will towards his former head coach, Tom O'Brien, who is now the head coach at division rival N.C. State.

"Coach O'Brien had to do what was best for him and his family," Ryan said. "The longer I'm in college the more I start to understand how these things work. I wish him and the coaching staff down at N.C. State all the best. I wish them the best for 11 games of the year."

The game Ryan is leaving out is the second game of the season against the Wolfpack. N.C. State travels to Chestnut Hill on Sept. 8 in what will undoubtedly be a bitter game for Boston College and its fans.

MOST OVER-ASKED QUESTION: Considering the number of people at an event like this, there's always a few questions that are asked one too many times.
After speaking with a couple of players in both sessions Sunday afternoon, the one question I heard more than any other had to do with leadership.

I can't count how many times I heard Phillip Merling asked about team leadership.

"Phillip, who are going to be the leaders on this year's team?"

"Phillip, what happened to the senior leaders during last year's 1-4 finish?"

Blah bla-blah blah.

I heard the same thing at Florida State's table. Same thing at Miami. Same thing at N.C. State.

Don't get me wrong, I understand senior leadership is important. I really do. I just wonder how important it is late in the fourth quarter, Labor Day Night, with Clemson trailing Florida State by four points facing a 4th-and-goal from the one?

PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS: I have no problems opening myself up to a little pre-season criticism. Here is what I submitted to the ACC today on my pre-season ballot:

Atlantic Division:
1. Boston College
2. Clemson
3. Florida State
4. Wake Forest
5. N.C. State
6. Maryland

Comments: When forced to predict the Atlantic Division standings, it's hard to pick any one team last. I tend to believe N.C. State will be much better this year under first-year coach Tom O'Brien, but I still have the Pack ranked fifth in the division. Many of the media members I spoke with had Boston College and Florida State near the top with Clemson typically third.

Coastal Division:
1. Virginia Tech
2. Georgia Tech
3. Miami
4. Virginia
5. North Carolina
6. Duke

Comments: The Coastal Division is more cut and dry. Virginia Tech is a notch above everyone else with Georgia Tech and Miami fighting for No. 2. Beyond those three teams, Virginia, North Carolina and Duke could easily be the three worst teams in the conference.

Player of the Year: RB Branden Ore (Virginia Tech)

Comments: I've heard arguments for Boston College QB Matt Ryan. I even heard one media member voted for C.J. Spiller. However, assuming Ore stays healthy and assuming the Hokies have quarterback issues with Sean Glennon, Ore figures to be the workhorse this season in Blacksburg.

Championship Game Winner: Virginia Tech