Clemson Depth Chart: Way-Too-Early Look at 2023 Offense

While changing factors can alter the roster, Clemson's offensive depth chart for 2023 offers intriguing position groups and options.

Author:
Brad Senkiw
Jan 6, 2023 12:08 PM EST

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Clemson Tigers

How early is it to put together a Clemson depth chart? Way too early.

After all, the transfer portal window is still open. Name, image and likeness deals are still being made. And not every upperclassman has officially announced a decision to turn pro or return to the Tigers.

So everything you'll read below comes with those caveats, but let's see what the projected offensive depth chart would be like in early January, with the idea that much can change:

Quarterback

First team: Cade Klubnik

Second team: Chris Vizzina

Third team: Paul Tyson

What a difference a month makes. It's been about that long since Clemson's QB room consisted of DJ Uiagalelei, Cade Klubnik and Hunter Johnson. Only Klubnik remains in 2023. He'll be the starter when the new season begins. There's no doubt about that. Klubnik threw for 599 yards in games against UNC and Tennessee. He made mistakes but also showed off enough promise to make Dabo Swinney feel good about his rising sophomore. Vizzina is a talented early enrollee prospect from the 2023 class. He'll compete right away for the backup spot with Tyson, an Arizona State transfer who was brought in to fill the role left behind by the graduated Johnson.

Running back

First: Will Shipley

Second: Phil Mafah

Third: Domonique Thomas or Keith Adams Jr.

Shipley is coming off a 1,000-yard season and is the starter heading into 2023, but Mafah is a very close second and a great complementary back who averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2022. He decided to stick it out another season with the Tigers despite playing second fiddle to Shipley. You'd think that means an uptick in his production as Mafah only averaged seven carries per game. Thomas and Adams backed up the two featured backs in 2022 and likely begin the year in the same roles. Adams redshirted last year and should see more opportunities. A pair of three-star freshmen join the room but it's too early to know if they'll factor into the rotation.

Wide Receiver

First: Adam Randall (9)

Antonio Williams (5)

Beaux Collins (2)

Second: Cole Turner (9)

Troy Stellato (5)

Brannon Spector (2)

While there's been no official announcement by Joseph Ngata, his recent all-star game invite makes it seem like he's probably not returning. If that's the case, this is what the Tigers will likely look like. A healthy Collins will be a big lift to a room that hasn't lived up to its billing the last two seasons. Williams is the leading returner and should see his role expand while Randall needs to turn that potential into production with a good-developing offseason. Turner flashed in the final two games as an outside deep threat the Tigers desperately need. Stellato is coming off a major knee injury and has struggled to stay healthy so temper expectations while Spector is a veteran who can play different spots. There are other plays to keep an eye on, like two-sport athlete Will Taylor and freshmen receivers Ronan Hanafin, Noble Johnson and Tyler Brown.

Tight ends

First: Jake Brinigstool

Second: Sage Ennis or Josh Sapp

With Davis Allen off to the NFL, Briningstool assumes the starter role and should thrive as the No. 1. He caught 25 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore. Ennis is primarily used as a blocker. Sapp is an intriguing player in 2023. The coaching staff raved about the freshman who redshirted last fall. With Clemson using a lot of two-tight end sets, somebody will need to take Briningstool's old role in the offense. A couple of 2023 freshmen - Marcus Dixon and Olsen Patt Henry - will help fill out the room and potentially make an impact.

Offensive line

Left tackle

First: Blake Miller

Second: Tristan Leigh

Left guard

First: Marcus Tate or Walker Parks

Second: Mitchell Mayes or Collin Sadler

Center

First: Will Putnam or Ryan Linthicum

Second: Linthicum or Trent Howard

Right guard

First: Parks or Putnam

Second: Howard or Mayes

Right tackle

First: Leigh or Miller

Second: John Williams

This is the most intriguing position group on offense and the hardest to predict. Clemson will cross-train a ton during the spring and try out different combinations of players at various spots. Linthicum holds the key to what OL coach Thomas Austin ultimately does. Entering his third year, the center has given the Tigers belief that he's developed and ready for a bigger role. If so, it could bump Putnam, last year's starter at center, back to guard and set a bunch of wheels in motion, including moving Parks to left guard if Tate isn't ready. There's a belief that Miller will move from right tackle to left to take over for Jordan McFadden. Leigh has been groomed to be the next big-time tackle. Tate is returning from a knee injury and will be slowed in the spring, but he was very solid in 2022 before going down. Dietrick Pennington could factor into this somewhere, and several other players are interchangeable. Playing time is going to be hard to come by. Clemson has depth and a lot of guys fighting for roles. That's a good thing.

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