5 true freshmen Tigers primed for breakthrough seasons

CLEMSON — Fall camp is over and game prep has started for the Clemson Tigers. The 2021 season has arrived.

Dabo Swinney’s team has high expectations heading into the fall campaign. The Tigers have a budding star quarterback, talent at the skill positions, and a defense that seems capable of being the best in college football. This could be a national championship recipe.

However, the program is going to need some young guys to step up and contribute as rookies. After reeling in a top-five recruiting class, Clemson had some youngsters rise to the challenge in fall camp.

These five newcomers could see prominent roles develop in their first season on campus.

Will Shipley can help at tailback

One of the highest-ranked players in the class, Will Shipley arrived on campus with ridiculous expectations. After going through both spring and fall camps, the tailback from North Carolina appears to have met expectations.

“He’s better than advertised,” Swinney said of Shipley during the spring game. “He’s going to be a great one. He’s going to be a great player. He’s incredibly dynamic. He can return, he can catch, and he’s physically way ahead for a high school kid. He can absolutely fly. Great teammate, and the guys like him.

There is a lot of depth at tailback, but Shipley will firmly be in the rotation as a true freshman.

Barrett Carter gives Tigers versatility

Another major recruiting win for the program. Carter came to Clemson out of Metro Atlanta and the hybrid player has the ability to play multiple positions on defense for the Tigers.

Carter has gotten some reps at the Sam/Nickel spot behind sophomore Trenton Simpson during fall camp. Despite not arriving on campus until the summer, Carter will be a player that will likely slowly show up in the rotation for the defense.

“You can list him whatever you want to call him,” said Swinney. “I don’t think he is any of those things individually. I think collectively he’s a football player.

Andrew Mukuba provides Clemson with versatility

A high four-star recruiting win out of Texas for the Tigers, Andrew Mukuba surprised many folks when the 185-pound defensive back became one of the stars of spring practice. That praise has continued over through fall camp.

Mukuba has been used at both safety and cornerback since making it to college. The true freshman could also play some nickel corner if required. Expect this newcomer to be utilized when defensive coordinator Brent Venables goes to some nickel and dime looks with five or six true defensive backs on the field at once.

Marcus Tate could be a starter

An early enrollee back in January, the South Florida native made some big waves during spring ball. Marcus Tate emerged as one of the best offensive tackles on the team looking like a player that could help as a true freshman.

“He’s an unusual kid in the offensive line,” Swinney said during the spring. “I mean, he’s still technically a high school senior, you know, as a mid-year, but he’s just you know, he’s unusual. And physically, he’s gifted and he’s further along than most freshmen coming in.

With redshirt senior Matt Bockhorst potentially sliding inside to center, Tate could be the player assistant coach Robbie Caldwell asks to play left guard for the Tigers. At worst, Tate will likely appear on the first two-deep depth chart of the season.

Dacari Collins keeps rising for Tigers

Another recruiting win out of Atlanta, Dacari Collins was not as heralded as some of the other Clemson signees in the class of 2021. However, that has not stopped the 6-foot-4 wideout from making an early splash in both the spring and summer.

Don’t be surprised if Collins somehow finds a way to crack a deep Clemson receiver rotation this season.