Hamlin: McDaniel will play this season

GREENSBORO, GA. — Clemson safety Michael Hamlin says he doesn't have much doubt DeAndre McDaniel will play the entirety of this season despite his outstanding assault charges.

"He's playing," Hamlin said Sunday at the 2008 ACC Football Kickoff media function. "I feel like all of it was kind of overblown, out of proportion. But he'll play."

McDaniel, a sophomore defensive back, was arrested June 21 for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after an incident with his girlfriend at his off-campus apartment.

It's been estimated that the case, which has been referred to the 13th Circuit solicitor, could take six months to a year to reach court. Tigers coach Tommy Bowden has said McDaniel remains a member of the team, but he has yet to make a final ruling on his status for the season.

McDaniel, who played in all 13 games last year as a backup while totaling 33 tackles, is expected to see an enhanced role this season as the Tigers battle lack of experience and depth at linebacker.

Hamlin, a senior, said McDaniel isn't concerned about the arrest affecting his status on the team.

"He's not worried about it anymore, so I'm not worried about it anymore," Hamlin said.

Fore-shadowing?

Clemson and Virginia Tech are considered popular picks to win their divisions and square off in the ACC title game in Tampa, Fla.

Sunday at Reynolds Plantation, their two quarterbacks faced each other on the golf course. They only played nine holes, but the Hokies' Sean Glennon got the best of Cullen Harper by shooting a 47 to his 52.

Harper lost several balls thanks to a wayward driver.

"He hit like three tee shots out of bounds," Glennon said.

Virginia Tech beat Clemson in 2006 and 2007, but the two quarterbacks didn't face each other in either game.

The two teams don't meet in the regular season this year, but there's always Tampa on Dec. 6.

"Hopefully we'll see them in Tampa and we'll be able to go head-to-head," said Glennon, whose Hokies won the title game last year.

The new style

Georgia Tech offensive lineman Andrew Gardner has a message for opposing defenses in the ACC who are trying to devise ways to stop the Yellow Jackets' new triple-option offense installed by Paul Johnson: Good luck.

"If everybody is doing the right thing and the quarterback is doing the right reads, I think there's the potential for a lot of yards and a lot of points," he said. "You don't know who has the ball and what's coming. A lot of plays look similar but aren't. ... It's a kind of offense where anything can break."

The philosophical shift hasn't been easy; the Yellow Jackets struggled mightily with the option pitch during spring practice.

"It's just a kind of thing that takes more reps," Gardner said. "I know the quarterbacks and skill players have been working on that this summer."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/