You’ve got recruiting questions and we have the answers.
Welcome to the All Clemson Tigers’ recruiting mailbag, where we will answer your recruiting questions. Or we will at least attempt to do so, as recruiting is a world with many moving parts and an ever-changing landscape where circumstances can often change in a flash.
With that in mind, let’s dive in.
Robert: What is the backup QB situation? Is Chris Vizzina ready?
Vizzina is going to be the backup come spring. Hunter Helms has moved on to Rhode Island and Paul Tyson is just going to fill that emergency spot as the fourth guy if needed. That leaves Trent Pearman as the only other QB on the roster behind starter Cade Klubnik.
Is he ready? I don't think we will fully know that answer until spring practice starts. Last spring, it was fairly obvious he was a guy that was going to need some time. The question becomes how big of a jump does he take between year one and year two, and Clemson needs him to make a big one.
Obviously, he needs to be ready in case of injury, but also because Klubnik would greatly benefit from having a guy that can legitimately push him. Competition is never a bad thing. It's something that would benefit both greatly.
Boon: What is the current numbers on the offensive line and does Matt Luke have a lot of work ahead of him?
Mike: How many offensive linemen are they looking at for 2025 with Walker Parks leaving?
All you have to do is go back and watch some of the Tigers' games from this past season to see how much work Luke has to do. Even Dabo Swinney admitted that after the Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.
"We have to get better. We have to re-establish our depth,” Swinney said. “We’ll have seven starters coming back, and we’re excited about that."
While I think most would agree that Luke has plenty of work to do to get that group playing at a higher level, I think many would also agree that he has some talent to work with. There is a lot of blue-chip talent in the room and the hope is that Swinney now has the right guy in place to tap into that potential.
One of the biggest questions heading into the spring is who takes over at center. Ryan Linthicum has patiently waited his turn and will likely get first crack, but Trent Howard and Harris Sewell could be options, as well. Ian Reed is another guy who could get an opportunity if he can get healthy.
By my count Clemson currently has 16 OL on scholarship, counting the four incoming freshmen in the 2024 class.
You can expect them to take a minimum of three in 2025, and possibly four. Parks will not be the only guy that they lose after next season. Marcus Tate will use up his eligibility in 2024. Bryn Tucker and Trent Howard are two guys that have already graduated and aren't likely to be around after the 2024 season. It would not shock me to see Tucker head out before the start of the 2024 season.
Dale: What’s your prediction on the 2024 Clemson football team by season’s end?
Too soon to say at this point. I would not be in any rush to predict the Tigers rejoining the land of the elites as early as next season, though. There is just still too much work to be done of the offensive side of the ball. Clemson has to find a way to bring some explsoveness back to that offense. The Tigers ranked 98th in the nation in plays of 20 yards or more with just 46. That is rushing and passing combined.
Clemson has to get better QB play. Klubnik needs to take a big jump this offseason. He also needs more help from the guys up front and the pass catchers.
With the ACC champion getting an automatic bid in the new 12-team format next season, I don't think a playoff run is out of the question. However, if they even get that far, how much of a run could they realistically make? With Georgia on tap to open the season, we will know a lot about this team pretty quikly.
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