James Skalski and Baylon Spector are glad to be leaving Clemson this year. Here’s why
James Skalski and Baylon Spector were known as “The Bruise Brothers” at Clemson.
The linebacker duo spent the past six years with the program and believe they’re leaving the program at just the right time.
“Me and Spec will look at each other and laugh and be like, ‘Thank God it was our last year, buddy,’ ” Skalski said. “These guys are beasts.”
Where two talented linebackers leave Clemson, plenty more are waiting in the wings with new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Wes Goodwin leading the charge.
Three of the returning linebackers have starting experience and five played in at least 11 games. Rising junior Sergio Allen was limited to nine games and 13 snaps after suffering a leg injury against UConn last season. He’s been back for the last six spring practices, Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said, which has been a welcomed sight.
If all goes as planned, Allen will be ready for Clemson’s Orange and White spring football game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Trenton Simpson returns as the most experienced player having totaled 556 snaps and started 12 of 13 games played. Now a rising junior, the Charlotte native smiled Wednesday evening as he pointed out his beard coming in.
“As y’all can see, I’m growing up,” he laughed.
The facial hair growth is also symbolic for his maturity as a football player. With the absence of Skalski’s vocal leadership, Simpson has opted to step up and try to fill that role, as are the other linebackers.
“He was a big voice in our locker room, so just as a position, I feel like everybody’s taken that individual step to do something that they weren’t doing last year,” Simpson said of Skalski. “I feel like, as a whole linebacker corps, we’re all taking a step in the leadership aspect, which is great for the team.”
Not just for Simpson, but there are also high expectations for rising sophomore Barrett Carter, who earned his first collegiate start at Pitt on Oct. 23. He had six tackles in the game and ended the year with 26 over 179 snaps and all 13 games played. During spring practices, the Georgian repped at the Sam linebacker spot.
“He’s as good a football player as anyone on this entire team,” Swinney said. “He could play corner, safety, Sam, Mike, Will (linebacker), running back. This guy is a very unique football player. He’s a great, young prospect.”
So far, Goodwin and Swinney have been pleased with what they’ve seen from the group overall. Specific positions are still being worked out, though the first-year DC plans to rep everyone at different spots in the event of injuries. Simpson moved inside, while rising sophomore Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has taken first-team reps at Mike linebacker.
“Even though Trotter’s only going to be a sophomore, that guy’s off the charts, football IQ and just instincts for the game,” Swinney said.
Keith Maguire and LaVonta Bentley add to the mix of athletic, talented linebackers. Maguire played mostly special teams for a chunk of the 2021 season then saw his time at linebacker increase toward the end.
Swinney has already noticed a difference in Maguire’s attitude this year, noting an increased confidence level in the Pennsylvania native. Bentley backed up Spector and started the two games — Georgia Tech and Iowa State —that the latter was out last season. Much like Maguire, the next steps for Bentley will be continuing to develop his confidence and overall knowledge of the game.
“Just knowledge and confidence can make a world of difference,” Goodwin said. “If he puts in extra time, becomes a student of the game, I think he can take his game to another level.”
For as strong of a legacy as Spector and Skalski left, the two feel that the position is in good hands at Clemson with guys like Simpson, Carter, Allen, Maguire, Trotter and Bentley ready to step up. They’ve all accepted that challenge, as well with Simpson going as far as to make winning the Butkus Award one of his goals for 2022.
“I know I’ve got what it takes,” Simpson said. “I have the talent. I’m going to put the work in, so I’m confident. Just gotta keep showing up every day in practice and when the season starts, it’ll show. All the work, it’ll show.”
