Young Clemson football players eager to shine in spring game

The areas of interest in Saturday’s Orange and White game at 2:30 p.m.:

Quarterbacks We found out how valuable backup quarterback was when Cole Stoudt moved back into the role last season. Deshaun Watson is the man for at least the next two seasons, but the trio of Nick Schuesler (junior), and freshmen Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel have to be sharp as well. While Schuessler’s been in the offense longer, he has 10 career pass attempts, so the exhibition will be about him showcasing his game. For the young guns, how good are their strengths, and how much have they progressed in the weaknesses? Last spring, a late injury robbed us of a chance to see Watson’s spring game readiness, but Bryant and Israel will get a chance to put on a show.

Running backs In all, Clemson has four four-star running backs set to return. All but one of them (Adam Choice, ACL rehab) will take the field Saturday. Both Zac Brooks and Tyshon Dye are back in the 100 percent range health-wise and eager to challenge Wayne Gallman, whose steady performance down the stretch makes him an early frontrunner.

Offensive line Skill position players get all the glory, but Clemson’s starting front five get their chance to shine. It’s the first true opportunity to see the four early-enrollee freshmen of Mitch Hyatt (OT), Jake Fruhmorgen (OT), Noah Green (OL) and Zach Giella (OL).

Defensive line The last time Tiger fans saw this defense, they witnessed a curtain call in Orlando, Fla., for six defensive linemen who played at least 280 snaps last year (three over 400). It’s time for Shaq Lawson, D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and the rest. Top S.C. prospect Albert Huggins gets his showcase, while some under-the-radar backups go at it on the interior line.

Linebackers For a second consecutive season, Clemson’s replacing a pair in the linebacker corps in arguably the top-two spots: middle and weakside linebacker. Experience isn’t lacking in the next man up, however, with B.J. Goodson slated to take over MLB (311 snaps/45 tackles/3.5 TFL) and Ben Boulware heading to WLB (399 snaps/83 tackles/6.5 TFL). How do they look and how does a group of seven redshirts/enrollees jell before the Death Valley crowd are the questions.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 11:45 PM with the headline "Young Clemson football players eager to shine in spring game."