Why several highly-touted recruits aren’t on Clemson’s depth chart

Two of the top players in Clemson’s 2016 recruiting class, linebacker Shaq Smith and defensive end Xavier Kelly, were not listed on the depth chart for the season opener against Kent State.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables said Tuesday that there is no reason to panic about the omissions.

Smith was not one of eight linebackers listed, while Kelly was not included among the five defensive ends.

“They’re on our depth chart. I list them all on the depth chart,” Swinney said. “That’s the bad part of recruiting, is if a guy’s not some phenom as a true freshman or a redshirt freshman it’s, ‘What’s wrong? There’s something wrong.’ ”

Kelly is behind true freshmen Logan Rudolph and Justin Foster, players who converted from linebacker to defensive end in the offseason. Swinney said Kelly should have a very productive career.

“Vic Beasley didn’t start a game here till his fourth year. … I think he turned out pretty good,” Swinney said. “There’s nothing wrong. He’s a freshman. He hasn’t played a game and we’ve got good players.”

Smith being left off was because of an injury he suffered in fall camp, according to Venables.

“He missed two weeks of a three-and-a-half week camp,” Venables said. “He was doing very well, but you’ve got to earn your way back unless you’ve already solidified yourself as a bona fide starter. He had a high ankle sprain. As long as Shaq is healthy this Saturday (he’ll play).”

FAMILY AFFAIR

The parents of Clemson starting safety Tanner Muse recently bought an RV to travel and attend Tanner’s games, as well as the games of his brother Nick Muse.

The problem is trying to figure out which game to go to each week.

“(Nick is) at William & Mary, so they’re going back and forth. That’s kind of been a hot topic this summer for us,” Tanner said with a smile. “We don’t know if he’ll get redshirted or not. This is his first year. Depending on that, it’ll probably be a game-time decision.”

NEWCOMERS READY

Clemson is replacing four starters from last year’s defense: Carlos Watkins, Ben Boulware, Cordrea Tankersley and Jadar Johnson.

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell said the starters moving into new roles this year are anxious to replace that production.

Austin Bryant will slide into a starting spot on the defensive line, while Tre Lamar will replace Boulware at middle linebacker. Muse will take Johnson’s place at safety, and several players should get opportunities to replace Tankersley at cornerback.

“There’s a lot of new guys and new faces that y’all are going to get to see and a lot of new guys that played some last year stepping into a bigger role,” Ferrell said. “A lot of guys want to make a name for themselves.”

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 5:59 PM.