Pre-Summer Camp Depth Chart- LB

The Backups

Spencer Shuey

Mike Linebacker: Spencer Shuey, Soph.
  
  Shuey is Clemson's biggest linebacker. (6'3" 250 lbs)  Shuey played sparingly last year, and is going to have to fight off extremely talented freshmen this offseason.  Rumor has it that Shuey has been cross training at defensive end.  With the loss of Joe Gore, I would not be surprised to see Shuey get more reps at End this fall.

Justin Parker

Sam Linebacker:  Justin Parker, Soph.

  Parker could be the most talented returning linebacker this year.  According to Coach Steele, the light came on during the spring and Parker was "lights out!"  In one of the practices this spring, Parker put SR Fullback, Chad Diehl, on his butt with a major hit!  This is saying something, as it is well known that Diehl is the hardest hitting player on the team.  Parker also has experience in the middle and is listed as the starter at Mike when the Defense goes to the nickel package.  I would not be surprised to see Parker starting somewhere on the field this season, and when the Tiger D goes to a 3-4 look, Parker should be a starter in the middle.

Vic Beasley

Will Linebacker:  Vic Beasley, RFr.

  Where raw talent and athleticism is concerned, Beasley is probably the most intriguing player on the defensive side of the roster.  Last year, he was redshirted as a TE, but moved to LB in the spring.  Not yet ready to make a major impact, but when he gets some experience, Beasley could be a beast for defensive coordinators to plan for.  I expect great things out of Beasley in the future!




The Freshmen

Tony Steward

  No one signed a better class of linebackers in 2011.  This was a major upgrade for Coach Steele's Defense.  Those great defenses at Bama were built around the D Line and Linebackers.  We have had the defensive line, but not the linebackers to be able to properly run Coach Steele's multiple look defense.  Enter Tony Steward, Stephone Anthony, Lateek Townsend, & B.J. Goodson.  I am not really sure where Anthony or Steward will play, as both players are capable on the inside and out.  My personal opinion is that Anthony will become Clemson's best inside linebacker since Anthony Simmons and Keith Adams.  I would love to see Steward's speed on the outside, taking away those screen plays that were so often given up last year.  Townsend is a hard-hitting, heat-seeking missile!  Another opinion of mine is that Townsend could eventually see a chance to play some SS. (Reminds me of De'Andre McDaniel) I would also like to see that speed in that nickel spot.  Either way, Townsend will eventually be a talent that will be impossible to keep of the field.  Goodson will be a player that may surprise people.  No one has really paid attention to him with the additions of the other three, more highly rated players.  Goodson is a hard hitter, and a sure tackler.  A real blue collar player, that would have been rated much higher at a more recognized high school program.  Will get a fair shot at playing time this year, as will all the freshmen linebackers.  I expect great things from this group!

Stephone Anthony

Lateek Townsend

B.J. Goodson

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