By: Neil Burnett
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said it best yesterday.
“ACC Media Day is over. Talking season is over.”
For Dabo and the Tigers, it’s about to get real. The staff and team will get together on August 3rd for administrational tasks, then practice begins on August 5th. So begins the 2022 version of the Clemson Tigers.
Actually, it started the day after the bowl win against Iowa State. The season ended on a high note in some areas and questionable in a couple of others.
Clemson finished off Iowa State for their 10th win, marking the 11th year in a row that the Tigers have 10 or more games. Only Alabama has a longer streak.
Despite playing without starting linebackers James Skalski (injured early in the 1st quarter) and Baylon Spector, the Tigers got a preview of who is the proverbial “next man up”. Lavonta Bentley, Keith McGuire, and Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., stepped up and played solid from the linebacker position. All three return to man the middle, and team up with returning backers Barrett Carter and Trenton Simpson.
Yes, DC Brent Venables and OC Tony Elliott departed for green pastures (not greener, just green), prompting fan bases and social media to begin boasting that it’s too much of a loss and the Tigers are on their way down. When are they going to learn. Dabo Swinney is the glue that holds the program together and the man is playing chess while others are playing checkers.
“I’ve actually got a depth chart of my coaching staff. You never know what will happen.” Well, it happened. The Tigers lost both coordinators but he was prepared for it. Wes Goodwin has been behind the scenes for 10+ years, learning under not only Venables but also with former NFL coach Bruce Arians. He sort of reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” The Clemson defense is in good hands and the college football world is not going to know what hit it.
Streeter has been in and around Clemson in various positions for 15 years all total. He was the quarterback coach for Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. He was the main recruiter for Lawrence, DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik. Streeter is not just some “teacher’s pet” hire. Now is his time to step up to the plate and show that his years of “interning” are about ready to pay off.
Everybody and their brother knows the struggles with the passing game last year. Barring injuries, the Tiger passing game is expected to improve, and with the addition of 5-star Cade Klubnik and incoming transfer Hunter Johnson, the quarterback room will be vastly improved. DJ recognizes his areas of needed improvement. Clemson fans and social media, and most importantly, the teams on the schedule will feel the brunt of this improvement.
“Talking season is over.”
