So I've tried to keep decently detailed updated notes on our roster: Key: # sign means player has redshirted. just the # sign means he's a true freshman & I put them in italics + players who won't play (injury/transfer). Bold means the guy is the starter. Star* rating is average of ESPN, Rivals, Scout & 247. Orangeandwhite.com just got done ranking our 20 Most Valuable Players so I noted that.

5 QUARTERBACKS - Chad Morris, 2nd year, $1.3 million salary through 2017 - Offensive Coordinator

Boyd is returning starter, threw 300 times for 3800 yards, 33 TDs & 12 INTs last year. #1 player on the team by orangeandwhite. Stoudt is the backup, Roberts pushed him this spring. Kelly should redshirt. McNeal will miss the season with an ACL injury from the spring game.

6 RUNNING BACKS - Tony Elliot, 2nd year (Clemson '02 grad)

Depth is an issue with Bellamy kicked off the team for not going to class. Ellington returns for his 5th year & we need him to stay healthy. Was #3 on O&W.com. He had 220 carries, 1200 yards & 11 TDs last year. Howard's the backup. McDowell barely played last season so true freshman Brooks may not be able to avoid the redshirt.

Smith moves to FB form TE & only played 1 snap last season. Walls converted from LB last year.

7 WIDE RECEIVERS - Jeff Scott, Recruiting Coordinator (Clemson '03 grad)

Do we have the best WR group in the country? Sammy (#2 O&W) had 80 catches, 1200 yards & 12 TDs. Hopkins (#4 O&W) 70-1000-5. Brown 30-400-4 (#20 O&W). Our backups Humphries-Bryant-Peake are good too. Hopper is the new guy I don't know if we necessarily need him? But Brown is our only WR that has a RS year so he may avoid it.

5 TIGHT ENDS - Danny Pearman, Assistant Head Coach (Clemson '87 grad)

TE position has been revolutionized by The Chad. I keep reading Ford (#9 O&W) - a converted WR is the prototype player for it. He had 14 catches, 170 yards & 2 TDs last year as Allen's backup. Seckinger wasn't as highly rated as a WR but is 6'5 & is working on gaining 40lbs & becoming a TE. Cooper is the backup. I haven't heard if he can catch or if he's just a blocker. MacLain started HS as an OT - can he catch? Is he next year's starter? New guy McCullough will RS.

6 OFFENSIVE GUARDS - Robbie Caldwell, 2nd year

So our skill players are awesome like in 2008 but we have 'no' offensive line (experience) like when we had Tommy Bowden as the head coach, were highly ranked & were blown on game 1 by Alabama in the Georgia Dome (I was there - took MARTA home at halftime). I hope 2012's line doesn't embarrass us against Auburn in Atlanta.

Shatley (#15 O&W) moved from D-line because of our lack of depth & was forced into a starting spot. I quote The Chad, "Tyler had brought instant credibility with his physical play & his intensity." Good. Webster is his backup. I think Davis & Beasley are listed as co-starters at the LG spot. Region needs to drop weight & he's the 5th guy. Destefano will RS.

6 OFFENSIVE TACKLES - Robbie Caldwell, 2nd year

Thomas (#10 O&W) is 1 of 2 returning starters on OL. He'll slide back into the position he struggled most with last year because no one else stepped up. He's undersized for a LT. Timothy at least is a tackle but wasn't highly rated out of Delaware. Gore's his backup. Don't know if Battle/Jones can avoid RS as freshman. Battle at least played at Fork Union Military last year so I think he's suiting up. We have no depth & no exp. Good recruiting!

3 CENTERS - Robbie Caldwell, 2nd year

Freeman (#6 O&W) is the other returning starter has 36 straight starts. On watch list for Rimington - nation's best C award. Norton's the backup. Guillermo RS.

6 DEFENSIVE ENDS - Marion Hobby

Goodman (#8 O&W) is a returning starter. 59 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks. His backup is Byers. Crawford (#18 O&W) won the Bandit position by default but I hear he's good too. He's replacing sack leaders Andre Branch (2011) & Da'Quan Bowers (2012). His backup Beasley was a TE then a LB & now a DE - great athlete, no position & has to bulk up. Aiken & Lawson probably won't be able to RS since again - we weren't recruiting linemen.

9 DEFENSIVE TACKLES - Dan Brooks

Williams (#17 O&W) is listed as co-starter at DT. 20 tackles last year on 140 snaps, 2 tackles for loss. He's shown the most to date but that still isn't very much. He's from Central. The other guy listed at co-starter is Watson, he needs to come into own this year. Barnes and Jarrett are also listed as co-starters at Nose Tackle so there's no returning starter or anyone pulling away inside... My last note on Thomas is he has a bad attitude. Maybank is big at 345! Watkins (#14 O&W) is uber talented & should play this year since there's no one of note in front of him on the DC. Hopefully we can afford to RS Reader & Dodd (who comes from a prep school).

11 LINEBACKERS - Brent Venables, 1st year, Defensive Coordinator

Anthony (#5 O&W) won the starting MLB job at the end of last season so he turns there. His backup is Shuey who I read was a big, slow LB or a 'powerful, run-stopping option.' Willard & Hawkins are listed as co-starters at Weakside & are both returning starters. Doesn't look like Parker - their backup - will play this year either. Should we RS him? Christian returns as our Strongside, he's a returning starter but only played 400 snaps because he shares time with the Nickel Back. His backup is Townsend.Our LBs will be much more useful now that Kevin Steele is fired. Will have to earn 'Linebacker U' title but they have the talent to do it.

Other LBs - Steward (#19 O&W) could RS after 2 ACL injuries in 2 years or have a huge season if 100%. No notes on Goodson. Jones transferred from Oklahoma State. He played in 12 games last year as a true freshman for Venables. Burrell will RS. 197 lb LB?

5 CORNERS - Charlie Harbison

Breeland (#16 O&W), Robinson & Jenkins give us a reliable rotation at the corners. Combined 117 games, 65 starts & 4,500 snaps. Davis was highly ranked & sure is tall. Blanks (#13 O&W) will have a big role as a true freshman. He'll split time on the field with with Christian the SAM LB. Basically a starter.

7 SAFETIES - Charlie Harbison

Meeks, Hall & Brewer are all returning starters so we have great experience as Defensive Back. Hall already graduated & is listed as co-starter at SS & FS. Peters moved over from CB this Spring & he's behind Hall - so is Smith. Williams is a Central, SC kid & is transferring home from Virginia Tech. He'll miss the year & Geohaghan will RS.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Danny Pearman

Cat-man (#11 O&W) is back after a good year. He was a walk-on & has a scholarship now. Benton beat out Pinion - barely - to replace Dawson Zimmerman. Read Pinion is a star in the making. 6'5! Lakip was #7 by Rivals so our kicking future should be in good feet. Fajgenbaum & Sobeski are walk-ons that split long snapper duties. Fajgenbaum does it for punts. Sobeski for placekicks. Same as last year. Benton is the holder. Why doesn't a QB do that? We have enough of them.

Sammy, Hopkins & 6'5 Bryant are doing Kick & Punt Returns.