Clemson faces a few questions on defense

Spring Football

CLEMSON — Clemson returns to the football field this morning for the first of 15 spring practices, and in some ways the next month will not hold much suspense.

On offense, Tigers coach Tommy Bowden knows what he has at quarterback (Cullen Harper), tailback (James Davis and C.J. Spiller) and at receiver (Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham). On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Vic Koenning plans to hold the starters out as much as possible at six positions, including all four defensive back spots.

Aside from that, though, there's plenty of intrigue as Clemson begins preparation for Bowden's 10th season in Tigertown.

Here are five prominent issues the Tigers will confront between now and the April 12 spring game:

1. Linebacker shakeup

Koenning lost a lot of experience and production with the departure of Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie. Also out of the fold is Antonio Clay, whose return for his senior season is in serious doubt. And now senior Cortney Vincent could be suspended for spring practice because of a recent violation of team policy.

This comes after a December DUI arrest that has yet to be resolved legally.

Incoming freshman Stanley Hunter will miss at least the first two weeks for undisclosed reasons, and Tarik Rollins — another January enrollee — won't be available as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered in high school.

If Vincent isn't available, Koenning would have just six guys to work with. Included is Rendrick Taylor, who's giving the position a shot after playing receiver his first three years.

Kavell Conner is penciled in at Watkins' weak-side spot, followed by Josh Miller. Vincent's absence would leave the door open for redshirt freshman Brandon Maye to prove himself in the middle.

Scotty Cooper appears well ahead of Jeremy Campbell on the strong side.

2. Building blocks

Clemson lost four offensive line starters for the second consecutive season, including left tackle Barry Richardson and left guard Chris McDuffie.

Bowden said he's more concerned about this year's replacements than last year's because these guys don't have as much experience. The biggest question mark is at left tackle, where Cory Lambert and Jock McKissic will compete.

Chris Hairston and Landon Walker are at right tackle, but Hairston could easily move to the left side if he establishes himself as the best of the bunch. Bowden seems to be growing impatient with Lambert, who is entering his redshirt junior season.

"The light hasn't come on yet for him," he said. "The wires haven't connected. He needs to connect them wires pretty soon, because he's running out of time. But he'll have a great opportunity."

At left guard, veteran Bobby Hutchinson could struggle to hold off redshirt freshmen David Smith and Mason Cloy. Thomas Austin is entrenched at center, and Barry Humphries grew into the right-guard position last season after switching from center.

Bowden also wants to see something from guard Jamarcus Grant, who's heading into his redshirt junior season.

"It's time for him to step up," he said. "He's awfully talented, but it seems like he hasn't experienced a sense of urgency yet."

3. Defensive-back depth

The Tigers have perhaps the best safety tandem in the ACC with Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemons, who will be seniors in 2008. Both will be limited during the spring as Koenning tries to find some guys who can give them a breather come September.

Koenning and Bowden are trying to convince receiver Brandon Clear to give safety a try this season, with the understanding he'd move back to offense in 2009 for his redshirt sophomore season. Clear has been adamant about remaining at receiver, however.

DeAndre McDaniel and Sadat Chambers will get plenty of action over the next month. Come August, they'll have to fight off the fleet of safeties who signed last month.

Cornerback Haydrian Lewis, a former Stratford High standout, could eventually give safety a shot. But he'll likely be on the shelf in the spring as he continues to rehabilitate a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

No such depth concerns at cornerback, where Marcus Gilchrist and Byron Maxwell (Fort Dorchester) are backing up starters Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler. Koenning thinks Gilchrist could give Chancellor a run for the starting position at field corner.

4. Special-teams competition

Bowden says the punting position is up for grabs among returning starter Jimmy Maners, Richard Jackson and early enrollee Spencer Benton. Jackson came on at punter late last season in practice.

At kicker, Mark Buchholz is done with soccer and will be able to focus solely on football. His angle kicking got worse as the year wore on, and he was undependable from long distances.

Bowden said Jackson and Benton will also have a chance to challenge for the kicking job.

5. Filling Merling's shoes

Phillip Merling left a large void at the strong-side defensive end position when he departed early for the pros.

The guy everyone wants to see at this position is Da'Quan Bowers, an early enrollee whom ESPN.com named the top recruit in the country. Bowers will have to beat out Kevin Alexander, who's penciled in at first string heading into his junior season. Alexander has worked hard during the offseason, and behind him is redshirt freshman Andre Branch.

Injury update

Receiver Jacoby Ford will be held from contact during the spring as he recovers from a broken ankle suffered last season. Tailback Ray Ray McElrathbey should be full-go after blowing out a knee last August.

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.

Check out The Post and Courier's new Clemson blog, Tiger Tracks, at http://www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/