CLEMSON – It feels like the college football season just ended, but the season is back with Clemson football spring practice starting Wednesday.
The Tigers return 10 players who started on offense and eight players who started on defense in December's Gator Bowl against Kentucky, including linebacker Barrett Carter. He also added the No. 11 recruiting class in 2024, which included two five-star players, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Coach Dabo Swinney will have to overcome the loss of running back Will Shipley, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., defensive back Nate Wiggins and defensive tackle Luke Oluhororo, all of whom will go pro. I chose that. He will also need to find a way to replace the production of transferred wide receiver Beau Collins and safety Andrew Mukuba.
Clemson football will give us a glimpse of what to expect for the 2024 season during the spring. Here are the five players with the most to prove in spring practice.
After leading the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards in his freshman year in 2022, Williams' sophomore season was derailed by ankle and foot injuries. He had 22 catches, 224 yards, and two touchdowns in five games in 2023. His injury allowed Tyler Brown and Troy Cerrato to get more playing time.
Williams has a chance to regain a key role in the offense this spring, with one of Clemson's big unknowns being the receiver room.
Bringstool will also need to contribute consistently in the passing game. He is coming off his best season in college, setting career highs with 50 receptions, 498 yards and five touchdowns (leading the team).
But most of Bringstool's production came in three games (310 total receiving yards) against Miami, NC State and Kentucky last season. Outside of those games, he never had more than 50 receiving yards.
The senior's production was limited last season due to passing struggles, but he will be a key piece to Clemson's offense as the team finds room at wide receiver. Bringstool brings size and athleticism to the Tigers.
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With the loss of defensive ends Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll due to ineligibility, we need someone to play opposite TJ Parker, who was second on the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and tied for first in sacks (5.5). needs to step up.
Defensive ends coach Chris Rumph will have his work cut out for him, but one player expected to fill the void is junior Denhoff. Last season, he played 170 snaps in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles (one for a loss).
Denhoff hasn't had a great year so far at Clemson, but this spring will be his chance to prove why he can hold down the starting defensive end job.
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Replacing Wiggins with a second-rounder, who many NFL Draft analysts predict will go in the first round, won't be an easy task. Still, Terrell has started the last five games and has shown he can hold the starting cornerback position as a freshman.
The sophomore recorded one interception and five pass deflections in 2023, showing the physicality that allows him to take receivers out of the game at the corner position. Terrell and sophomore Shelton Lewis had solid debut seasons.
Gunn missed three field goals and one extra point in his first three games last season and lost his spot as the starting kicker. This led Coach Swinney to hire former walk-on Jonathan Weitz, citing his maturity as a factor.
The sophomore, who hasn't taken a place kick in the last 10 games, could prove he can be the starting kicker again in 2024. He has to show it during spring practice for the coaches to believe him.
Derian Carter covers Clemson athletics for the Greenville News and USA TODAY Network. Email dcarter@gannett.com and follow X (previously known as Twitter) @DerrianCarter00.
