When Did Dabo Know
by: Neil Burnett
As fans, we agonize over Clemson football pretty much every game, every year. Sometimes, we think we know more than the coaches and certainly know more than the broadcasters. At some point, we always seem to be right before the coaches, or so we think.
In 2011, Clemson got off to a hot start, winning their first eight games of the year. QB Tajh Boyd was slinging touchdowns all over the field to the likes of Deandre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. However, it was during the end of this streak that things began to unravel on the defensive side of the ball. Did Dabo know then? Clemson beat Maryland 56-45 in game seven of the streak and North Carolina 59-38 in game eight. Lightbulbs probably started going off in Dabo’s head about the defense. The Tigers lost four of the next six games, culminating in probably the most embarrassing loss in Clemson’s history, 70-33, to West Virginia and Gino Smith, who threw for 407 yards and six touchdowns. How long had Brent Venables been on the Dabo’s mind? January 12th, 2012, exit DC Kevin Steele. January 13th, enter Brent Venables. The rest is history.
Fast forward to February 1st, 2012. Clemson picked up a commitment from a 4-star quarterback out of Gainesville, Georgia. He was ranked as the number 3 overall player in the country and the #1 dual threat quarterback in the nation. Deshaun Watson threw for over 13,000 yards, 155 touchdowns and only 29 interceptions in four years, helping Gainesville High School to a 46-10 record. Many expected him to walk right in and be the starting quarterback. Cole Stoudt started the first game against Georgia, a 45-21 loss to the Bulldogs. The 2nd game, the Tigers anihilated South Carolina State, 73-7.
Enter young Watson in the 2nd half of that game, completing 8-9 passes and three touchdowns. The next game, Stoudt started against FSU, and it was midway through the 2nd quarter when he was replaced by Watson. They lost that game in overtime to the Noles 23-17. The starting job was handed to Watson in the next game, and threw for 5 touchdowns and 435 yards as the Tigers won nine of their last 10 with the only loss being to Georgia Tech, 28-6. When did Dabo know what he had in Watson? No doubt, the first day he stepped on the practice field his freshman year.
December 16, 2016, Trevor Lawrence committed to Clemson. Dabo might have known Lawrence would be the next great Clemson quarterback when he threw in with Clemson, but the bulk of the fanbase already knew it. Kelly Bryant was “next in line” to be the next Clemson quarterback, starting every game during the 2017 season, leading the Tigers to a 12-2 record with a season ending loss to Alabama in the college football playoffs 24-6. It was during that last game where Dabo probably started thinking that Lawrence might be that next level quarterback. Bryant started the first two games of 2018, and played admirably. In the 3rd game of the year against Georgia Southern, the Tigers stalled on the first two drives of the game. Georgia Southern. Lawrence stepped on the field the 3rd drive of the season, and Bryant transferred to Missouri. When Dabo know about Lawrence? Probably the day he committed.
This brings us to the next “when did Dabo know” moment. That moment could come as soon as Monday night when the Tigers take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
DJ Uiagalelei is looking to overcome a tough 2021 season. Everyone knows there were circumstances why the year was not what was supposed to be another banner year for the Tigers. DJ has done the due diligence on getting ready for 2022. He has lost weight, gotten healthy, and worked on his mechanics/footwork with his quarterback coach in California. Dabo and OC Brandon Streeter have showered praise on DJ for his efforts and he apparently looks the part and ready to lead the Tigers to the promised land.
“Our season starts on a Monday and we want to finish the season on a Monday,” coach Swinney recently said.
The big difference in Clemson’s offense last year to this year, one 5-star freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik is waiting in the wings.
If Clemson jumps out to a 28-0 lead at the half, there will be no issues. Klubnik will more than likely get reps in the 2nd half. If the Tigers struggle, and lead only 10-3 or 13-7, we will probably see Klubnick a little sooner. Will it be that moment when “Dabo knows”? We all know he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. He has a pretty good track record in the past of knowing when it’s time. Will Monday night be one of those decisions he has to make? Stay tuned.
