5 burning questions as Clemson enters fall camp — and Georgia awaits (2024)

CLEMSON— Dabo Swinney was careful not to overplay a Week 1 matchup with Georgia, in all the ways a coach would.

Even if Clemson beats one of college football's powerhouses, Swinney said, it doesn't grant the Tigers a victory over App State the next week.

Even if Clemson loses, the season is far from over.

"This is just a situation where you've got to be playoff ready," Swinney said, "Game 1, Play 1."

The Tigers want to have a greatseason, not just a great opener. But there is no denying the urgency of their task as they enter fall camp.

There are questions they must answer before Georgia stands across the line in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 31.

Center of attention

Everyone knows Cade Klubnik is Clemson's quarterback.

But who will snap the ball to him?

Ryan Linthicum, a redshirt junior, came out of spring practice as the frontrunner to replace Will Putnam at center. At the same time, Linthicum isn't beyond reproach with just 103 career snaps under his belt.

Clemson has at least toyed with some other center option, including sophom*ore Harris Sewell, who logged 460 snaps at guard last season. Redshirt senior Trent Howard also snapped in the spring.

New offensive line coach Matt Luke has to find his best five, and Linthicum, a four-star prospect, may have ascended just in time. But he's not a default option, because Sewell was a prized recruit, as well, and there is an overflow at guard with Walker Parks, Marcus Tate, and Collin Sadler returning.

At the very least, Clemson might prove to have depth on the line, but teams don't rotate centers all that often in-game because of their rapport with a quarterback. The Tigers will want to settle on a snapper in camp.

Mafah's minions

As Swinney recently said on ACC Network, Phil Mafah is going to have an all-he-can-eat buffet of carries with Will Shipley now in the NFL.

But there is probably a limit to how much the 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior can consume if he's going to stay healthy.

So who takes the ball when Mafah takes a breather?

The obvious answer is redshirt sophom*ore Keith Adams Jr., the son of the former Clemson linebacker. He has earned the nickname "Hammerhead."

"You got to make a business decision if you're coming down to tackle him," Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley said.

Clemson could double up on thunder with Mafah and Adams. But if the Tigers want lightning, redshirt freshman Jay Haynes might be the play.

It's a strong "might," though, because Haynes has regularly battled injuries.

"You've seen the flashes," running backs coach C.J. Spiller said."Now it's all about let's go out there and do it and try to stay healthy. He has the talent to be a special player here."

Adams and Haynes are worth a watch. But a freshman like David Eziomume, or another redshirt freshman, Jarvis Green, could climb the depth chart to claim some of Mafah's leftovers.

Fresh intrigue

Several freshmen emerged on the defensive side of the football last season, including Peter Woods and T.J. Parker on the line andKhalil Barnes, Avieon Terrell, and Shelton Lewis at defensive back.

Is it the offense's turn to have some star newcomers?

Klubnik was asked during the ACC Kickoff if there were any difference makers on the offense that might be flying under the radar, and he did not hesitate.

"Bryant Wesco Jr.," he said, bluntly.

Any reason why?

"You'll see," Klubnik answered.

As long as the 6-2, 170-pound midyear enrollee added the necessary weight in the offseason, Wesco has the quickness and speed to add a different element to the receiving corps. TJ Moore has the makings of a deep threat, as well.

Sammy Brown could make some noise, as well. Barrett Carter recently said the freshman arrived stronger than most everyone in the linebacking corps.

He might not eclipse Carter and Wade Woodaz on the depth chart, but Brown's athleticism and natural talent— he had eight tackles in the spring game— might prove difficult to keep off the field.

Darien Mayo, a 6-7, 250-pound defensive end, is intriguing, as well.

Klubnik vs. Clemson

Very soon, the world will know if Klubnik is ready to take the next step, because Georgia has athletes galore.

But how about Klubnik versus Clemson's defense during fall camp?

Sure, he'll be wearing a purple jersey and won't take any hits. But it'll be interesting to hear if Klubnik, attacked by the likes of Carter, Woods and Parker, and scanning for open receivers against a young but talented secondary, will help the offense claim some wins on the practice field.

Klubnik, in some ways, has to practice doing less. He has to calm his feet, make wiser decisions, and protect the ball.

But he has more at his disposal with a bell-cow running back in Mafah, a rejuvenated receiving corps, and an experienced offensive line. So can he make some plays this fall and offer some optimism heading into the opener?

Clemson's offense, which ranked 50th in scoring offense a season ago, could certainly use some good vibes going into the season.

Gunn vs. Hauser

One of the weirder storylines of the 2023 season was online master's student Jonathan Weitz returning to the roster midseason because then-redshirt freshman Robert Gunn III was struggling to split the uprights.

There shouldn't be a need for such drastic measures this time around, because the Tigers have hedged their bets.

Gunn is joined by a true freshman, Nolan Hauser, in camp. Hauser (pronounced Hoo-zer) isn't just any freshman, because he holds the national high school record for the most field goals made (66) in his career.

He also happens to be the son of Clemson women's soccer All-American Sheri (Bueter) Hauser and Clemson baseball pitcher Scott Hauser.

That's quite a backstory.

That said, Swinney was pleased with how Gunn straightened himself out in the offseason. The coach has often recalled the story of Chandler Catanzaro, who struggled as a young kicker and became the program's all-time leading scorer.

Will Gunn's aim betrue? Or will a fresh, new leg steal the show?