What Clemson football’s depth chart should look like in season opener
Clemson football pieces are falling into place.
Position battles will continue and things will get shifted around, but Clemson's two-deep roster seems strong – and mostly healthy – as the fourth-ranked Tigers get ready for game action. Preseason questions have led to some answers. Coaches have stressed that some backups are considered co-starters and that provides additional comfort.
"I feel really good with about 16-18 guys, actually," defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin said. "Our two-deep could go out and start any game and feel good about what they can do. I feel really good about our two-deep."
Here's our best guesses as to how the depth chart will look for the Sept. 5 season opener at Georgia Tech.
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Quarterback
The starter: D.J. Uiagalelei, jr.
The reserves: Cade Klubnik, fr.; Hunter Johnson, gr.
Klubnik is a five-star recruit who will see plenty of action in the first few games, but this is still Uiagalelei’s team. He’s motivated by the youngster’s presence but also to prove critics wrong after a disappointing 2021.
Running back
The starter: Will Shipley, so.
The reserves: Kobe Pace, jr.; Phil Mafah, so.
Clemson’s backfield has been described as a three-headed monster and they will all be important. Shipley might be a Heisman candidate if he had the job to himself. Using all three, however, will wear down defenses.
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Wide receiver
The starters: Joseph Ngata, sr.; Beaux Collins, so.; Brannon Spector, jr.
The reserves: Dacari Collins, so.; E.J. Williams, jr.; Will Taylor, so.; Antonio Williams, fr.
Clemson needs Ngata to stay healthy and be the No. 1 target. That hasn’t happened yet. If not, though, Beaux Collins is capable. The Tigers seem better equipped at slot receiver with Spector, Taylor and Antonio Williams.
Tight end
The starter: Davis Allen, sr.
The reserves: Jake Briningstool, so.
Allen became one of the most reliable receivers last season when the Tigers really needed it. Briningstool is too talented to keep on the sidelines. They’ll be on the field together sometimes. They’re top-notch blockers as well.
Offensive line
The starters: LT Jordan McFadden, gr.; LG Marcus Tate, so.; C Will Putnam, sr.; RG Walker Parks, jr.; RT Blake Miller, fr.
The reserves: Tristan Leigh, fr.; Trent Howard, so.; Mitchell Mayes, jr.; Ryan Linthicum, fr.; Deitrick Pennington, fr.
Miller forced his way into the probable starting lineup, moving Parks over one spot to guard. McFadden is the All-ACC leader, Tate will be much improved from his rookie year and Putnam has made a smooth transition from guard to center.
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Defensive end
The starters: Myles Murphy, jr.; K.J. Henry, sr.
The backups: Xavier Thomas, sr. (injured); Justin Mascoll, sr.; Kevin Swint, jr.; Greg Williams, jr.; Cade Denhoff, fr.
Even with Xavier Thomas likely out for at least the first three games because of injury, Clemson is stacked. Murphy and Henry are two of the best in the country. Mascoll and Swint lead the next wave of talent.
Defensive tackle
The starters: Bryan Bresee, so.; Tyler Davis, sr.
The reserves: Ruke Orhorhoro, sr.; Tre Williams, so.; DeMonte Capehart, so.; Etinosa Reuben, jr.
Clemson’s remarkable defensive line has future NFL players inside in Bresee and Davis. Orhorhoro came into his own last season when Bresee was injured and would be a starter for just about any other team in the country.
Linebacker
The starters: Trenton Simpson, jr.; Keith Maguire, jr.; Barrett Carter, so.
The reserves: LaVonta Bentley, Jr.; Jeremiah Trotter, so.
Clemson has a new-look group at linebacker after losing three veterans from a year ago. There is plenty of talent remaining, but it’s close among these five. Simpson seems poised for a breakout season and could be the vocal leader as well.
Cornerback
The starters: Sheridan Jones, sr.; Nate Wiggins, so.
The reserves: Malcolm Greene, jr.; Fred Davis, jr.
This is another position at which Clemson lost its starters, and there are even more questions here. Jones is set. Green is a proven leader as well. Wiggins and Davis haven’t always been reliable, but they’ll have to step up now.
Safety
The starters: Andrew Mukuba, so.; Jaylyn Phillips, sr.
The reserves: Tyler Venables, jr., R.J. Mickens, jr.
Mukuba and Phillips give Clemson a strong back line, but Mukuba might not always be there as he’ll move all over the field. He can do that because Venables and Mickens are experienced and dependable.
Special teams
The starters: PK B.T. Potter, gr.; P Aidan Swanson, jr.; LS Phillip Florenzo, so; H Swanson; PR Will Taylor, so.; KR Will Shipley, so.; Kobe Pace, jr.
The reserves: PK Swanson; P Potter; LS Holden Caspersen, fr.; PR Beaux Collins, so.; KR Phil Mafah, so.
Potter is one of the best kickers in the ACC and has added punting, but Swanson is the top choice there. Taylor became the punt returner last season until he got hurt. Having any of the three top running backs on kick return seems risky.
Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Predicting Clemson football's depth chart for 2022 season opener
