Two 5-stars will get shot to earn Clemson’s starting QB job over Bryant

Five position battles to watch as Clemson begins spring practice

1. Quarterback

All Kelly Bryant did in his first year as Clemson’s starting quarterback was lead the Tigers to the ACC championship and the College Football Playoff. The rising senior also rated as the ACC’s most accurate deep passer, according to Pro Football Focus. Still, there is too much competition at quarterback for there to not be a battle in spring practice. Bryant enters as the favorite, but rising sophomore Hunter Johnson, a former five-star recruit, will be in the mix. Fellow five-star recruit Trevor Lawrence, who was rated as the No. 1 overall player in the country for the class of 2018, will also get a shot. It would not be a shock to see Bryant, Lawrence or Johnson named the starter entering the season.

2. Wide receiver

Clemson lost a pair of starting receivers in Ray-Ray McCloud and Deon Cain but still has plenty of talent at the position. Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers, a pair of sophomores, will push reserves from last season -- Diondre Overton, Trevion Thompson, Cornell Powell and T.J. Chase -- for playing time. Higgins will be hard to keep off the field after coming on strong at the end of last season, as will Rodgers, who finished as the Tigers’ fourth leading receiver in 2017.

3. Right tackle

Sean Pollard and Tremayne Anchrum split time at the position in 2017 and both had ups and downs. Pollard started nine games and was named honorable mention All-ACC, while Anchrum started six games. The two rising juniors played great at times but struggled against some of the better defensive fronts, including Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Mitch Hyatt returning at left tackle is a boost for Clemson’s offensive line, but the Tigers will likely need the right tackle position to improve.

4. Cornerback

The Tigers were hurt by injuries at cornerback last season. Marcus Edmond, Mark Fields and Trayvon Mullen missed time . Having so many guys in and out of the lineup hurt the Tigers on the field but also allowed Clemson to create depth. Edmond and Clemson’s No. 1 cornerback, Ryan Carter, have graduated. Fields, Mullen, sophomore A.J. Terrell and redshirt freshman LeAnthony Williams will battle for two starting spots this spring.

5. Running back

Clemson has a good problem at running back as Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne have both proven to be worthy of starting. Both players excel with the ball in their hands, but whichever one can improve the most as a pass protector will likely have the inside track on starting. Adam Choice can do a little bit of everything, running, catching passes and pass protecting. He likely won’t be the starter but should factor into the rotation.

This story was originally published February 27, 2018 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Two 5-stars will get shot to earn Clemson’s starting QB job over Bryant."