Swinney upbeat for new season

Unfiltered optimism again commanded the day as Dabo Swinney and his Clemson staff fanned the flames of anticipation for the 2015 football season before and after the annual golf outing at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

Rather than dwell on the dismissal of a couple of players in offseason incidents, Swinney focused on the return of 40 lettermen – including sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who could thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Shortly after thrashing Oklahoma 40-6 in the Russell Athletic Bowl, 15 of the 26 freshmen signed in February had enrolled in January, including four U.S. Prime Grade A offensive linemen, one of which will be thrown on the grill against Wofford when the season opens Sept. 5.

Mitch Hyatt, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle from Sugar Hill, Ga., enters preseason practice as the projected starter at left tackle, replacing Isaiah Battle. At 6-7 and 290 pounds, Battle left the program with a year of eligibility remaining and turned pro after being cited in June for simple possession of marijuana during a speeding stop. Projected as a potential second- or third-round NFL Draft material, Battle entered an NFL Supplemental Draft and was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round.

Last season, Clemson struggled to identify five healthy offensive linemen for practice. Little-used Reid Webster used his senior season to create an extraordinary legacy, playing all five line positions, but depth shouldn’t be a problem with a nucleus of four who started at least one game. Swinney acknowledged that this roster might be his richest, at least since 2011.

Even with the job facing defensive coordinator Brent Venables following the loss of eight starters – including first-round draft pick Vic Beasley – Battle’s absence seems to stir the angst among fans, particularly after center Jay Guillermo withdrew from school during spring practice to deal with a personal issue.

Swinney and line coach Robbie Caldwell are confident the core of experience provides a secure foundation. Guillermo, the only junior is the group, faces a battle with Ryan Norton for the starting job at center. Along with Joe Gore, Eric Mac Lane and Tyrone Crowder, they offer depth, versatility and experience.

Swinney crowed about the depth at running back, predicted the defensive secondary might be a sleeping giant, that the tight ends are poised to re-emerge as major contributors and that he’s not worrying about the risk to Watson, who returns after surgery to repair a knee ligament torn in the Georgia Tech game.

“You can’t play this game tiptoeing around, worrying about getting hurt,” he said alluding to Watson, who also sustained a broken finger and a broken collarbone in his first year on campus. “Guy gets hurt, you gotta have someone else ready.”

With Watson on the shelf, Nick Schussler won the backup job during the spring. Freshmen Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel were in the January group hoping for quick action, but Watson gives Clemson an opportunity to unleash the entire playbook.

“We’re not going to do anything differently trying to put him in some type of bubble,” Swinney said. “We’re going to go play. That’s just what we do.”

Records are in jeopardy with Watson protected by a healthy line and a passel of talented backs, receivers and tight ends. Though the defense isn’t likely to be as dominant, Swinney hopes they can keep the starters intact until the young talent bubbles to the surface. Cornerback McKensie Alexander and end Shaq Lawson could vie for postseason honors.

“I think it’s easier to measure those things further down the road,” he said. “When you look at our 2011 team, that was a pretty rich team; there were a lot of guys on that team we didn’t know about at that point.

“When you look back, there were some ballplayers.”

There’s no denying – on paper – this group could be special. Watson should help make the transition from Chad Morris to co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott seamless.

“It’s a very good roster. I don’t think we have any weak spots,” Swinney said. “I think we’ve got some growing up to do and a lot of coaching to do in some areas. But I don’t think there’s an area where we’re inefficient compared to our competition from a talent standpoint.

“But talent alone doesn’t win.”

Frequently in the recent past, Swinney has said the program has been built to make a run.

“I think we’re kind of in the midst of that,” he said. “I think we have a chance to have a chance to have an excellent year offensively. Defensively, we led the nation in 11 categories last year and 11 guys off that team are in the NFL.

“We may not lead the country in 11 categories, but I don’t think we have to. We can be one of the best defenses in the country.”

There’s still an issue at kicker, where Ammon Lakip might not return following an arrest for cocaine possession. Swinney said Lakip would have an opportunity to rejoin the team once he completes a penance that will include a suspension, but sophomore Alex Spence will have a shot at the job in August.

“We’ve got talent. They’ve got to come through, get it done,” Swinney said. “Wish I didn’t have to start out the year counting on (Spence), but that’s where we are.

“Alex Spence has worked his butt off his summer, I know that,” he said. “We’ll have some legs out there. If not, we’ll go for it. Nothing wrong with giving to Deshaun Watson one more time.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 9:57 PM.