Report Card: Grading Clemson's position groups at the halfway point of the season.
Clemson is heading into the bye week following Saturday's 17-12 win over Wake Forest. The Tigers just reached the halfway point of the season and we have some midseason grades for the position groups on the team.
Quarterback - C+
Cade Klubnik has had lofty expectations that would be tough for anyone to handle. His Sophomore campaign has been up and down. Started off with a tough game against Duke, then out-dueling against Heisman contender Jordan Travis in a loss to Florida State, and having a great performance against Syracuse. Klubnik needs to become more efficient and convert on more opportunities to improve his grade for the end of the year.
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Running Back - A
Will Shipley and Phil Mafah have been the focal point of this team’s offense. Both backs have a style that makes them so complementary to each other. They've each had moments where the play-calling would just shift to feeding them and they will produce each time.
Wide Receiver - B-
This group has been a work in progress in the first part of the season. Coming into the season, Adam Randall was the WR1 but these past couple of weeks it seems like the freshman Tyler Brown has taken that spot. Due to the injury of Antonio Williams, Brown has been the main focal point but one name to keep an eye on is Beaux Collins who has been putting together solid performances in the past weeks.
Tight End - B+
Jake Briningstool has been the image of consistency outside of the running back group. He has been a safety blanket for Klubnik where he rolls out and finds his tight end in an open area. Briningstool is a physical runner after the catch where he is embracing contact.
Offensive Line - C+
This offense line group has a group that still has a lot of room to improve. Giving up nine sacks is something that could be improved but one thing that is noticeable is their ability to get some push with running plays. Having the ability to lean on the run game has been a staple of Clemson football in the Swinney era.
Defensive Line - B
The mix of veteran leadership in sixth-year senior Xavier Thomas and fifth-year senior Tyler Davis with the youth of T.J. Parker and Peter Woods has been a sight to see for Tiger fans. The defensive line has done a great job at stuffing the run against their opponents but one thing they can improve on is their overall consistency, which has faltered at times, especially in maintaining their rush lanes.
Linebacker - B+
The linebacker corps led by Jereimah Trotter Jr. has been the steady hand that has really been one of the most consistent factors of the team. The linebackers coming into the season were a position that fans knew what they were getting. This season they have been head-hunters and consistently making plays in the open field.
Defensive Backs - B+
Even through a host of injuries, this unit has been incredibly strong. The senior leadership intertwined with the youth of Toriano Pride Jr. and Khalil Barnes has been a great mix. The Tigers have given up just five touchdowns through the air in six games and have intercepted five passes. They're giving up just 175.5 yards through the air per game.
