Why you can expect to see Herschel Walker at Clemson games

Clemson fans could see former Georgia star running back and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker at Death Valley this season.

Walker’s nephew, Milan Richard, is the starting tight end for the Tigers.

“He’s not going to be here Saturday, but he is planning on coming to some games,” Richard said. “We have to look at his schedule because he’s always traveling.”

Richard said he has learned a lot about football and life from Walker.

“We’re really close. He’s just always been my uncle,” Richard said. “He’s always been somebody that I could call and talk to and lean on. I never saw him play. All I’ve seen is videos and old film. He lets me know every once in a while that he was the man back in the day.”

Position battles

The 2017 season will get underway on Saturday, but there are still some spots up for grabs on Clemson’s depth chart.

The right tackle job is the only spot where a starter has not been announced between Tremayne Anchrum and Sean Pollard.

“It’s really a good thing,” Tigers co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. “I think both will play. How they do this week will determine who runs out there for the first play.”

There are also some intriguing decisions to be made as far as backups go, including who will get the first opportunity at running back after starter C.J. Fuller. Tavien Feaster and Adam Choice are fighting for the No. 2 spot, while Travis Etienne also should play.

“C.J. has definitely risen to the top. Over 2,000 reps in practice all those guys have gotten, you’ve got to have a starting point. He’ll definitely be the guy getting that starting point,” Scott said. “All those guys, just like at any position, they’re going to get opportunities. And then what they do with those opportunities in games will really kind of dictate how the playing time goes from there. But really, not disappointed in any of those guys in that group.”

Other backup jobs up for grabs include at Will linebacker where James Skalski and J.D. Davis are behind Kendall Joseph and at cornerback where Mark Fields or Amir Trapp will play behind Marcus Edmond.

Also worth noting is that Xavier Kelly and Shaq Smith are not listed on Clemson’s depth chart, although both have been banged up during fall camp.

Will Swinney, the son of Tigers coach Dabo Swinney, is listed as the holder for the Tigers.

READY FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Clemson players and coaches are chomping at the bit to face another opponentafter months of only competing against fellow Tigers.

“We’ve been going against our defense for a long time. We’re ready to go against somebody else’s defense for a change,” Scott said.

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell added that Clemson is ready to completely turn the page from last season and begin a new year.

“The fans, they love telling you just how great last year was,” Ferrell said. “We’re all trying to focus on this year.”

This story was originally published August 28, 2017 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Why you can expect to see Herschel Walker at Clemson games."