Five on the rise

1. DeAndre McDaniel

Sophomore, safety/linebacker

After quietly being shifted to strong side linebacker, the team's third safety quickly worked his way onto the first-team defense with his knack for physical hitting. His presence allows the Tigers to stay in a nickel package and still have run support.

2. Chris Hairston

Sophomore, offensive tackle

Hairston appears a true steal, having developed into line coach Brad Scott's teacher's pet. Coaches believe he has the potential to wind up Clemson's best right tackle during Tommy Bowden's decade-long tenure.

3. Brandon Maye

R-Freshman, linebacker

Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning has dared invoke the name of Anthony Waters when raving about Maye's spirited aggression. His emergence could ease the blow if suspended senior Cortney Vincent is dismissed.

4. Dorell Scott

Senior, defensive end

The Ridge View grad has been unblockable this spring and drawn persistent praise from the defensive staff. Keep this up, and Scott could be in for a breakthrough all-ACC campaign and be taken in the first two rounds of the 2009 NFL draft.

5. Wilson Norris

R-Freshman, offensive guard

After arriving on campus at 350 pounds because of inactivity related to his torn ACL, Norris is a svelt 305 and hitting anyone in sight. If he can learn to hit the correct defenders, this week's stint with the first-stringers could extend into fall camp.

— Paul Strelow