1999 Clemson Football Outlook

Aug. 11, 1999

Strong safety Robert Carswell had a consistent year in the secondary and finished the season with 102 tackles, the second highest total in Clemson history by a defensive back. Only the 117 by A.J.Johnson in 1985 is higher. The previous number-two ranking was by Leomont Evans, who had 96 in 1995.

Carswell finished the season with six games of double figures in tackles, including the South Carolina contest when he had 11. That was the first time he led the Tigers in tackles in his career. He had at least nine tackles in eight of the 11 games this past season.

Carswell has started each of the last 17 games for the Tigers dating to last year’s Maryland contest. His move into the safety position allowed Antwan Edwards to move to cornerback. Carswell had 11 tackles and three passes broken up in his first college start against the Terps in 1997 and he ended that season with 51 tackles and six passes broken up. He was just the sixth Clemson first-year freshman to start in the secondary since 1952.