Clemson Practice Brief – Wednesday, August 16

Aug. 16, 2006

Clemson, SC-Clemson was back on the practice fields twice on Wednesday, the third two-a-day session of the preseason. Clemson will also have double practices on Friday and next Monday before school begins on Wednesday, August 23. Clemson will practice once on Thursday morning and have a stadium scrimmage on Saturday.

Bowden said after practice that there has been little movement on the depth chart in terms of position changes or changes in first or second team players. He did say that one of the best battles is at wide receiver.

“Aaron Kelly and Rendrick Taylor are in quite a battle for a starting position at wide receiver,” said Bowden. “That has been the case all fall. Rendrick had a terrific spring to close the gap. Both have done well this preseason.”

Bowden also talked about the battle for the starting punter position.

“Jimmy Manners (pronounced MAIN-ers) has improved his get-off time considerably since last year and he and Cole are in a battle for the starting punter position. Cole has done well this preseason since he missed time due to injury at the start. But, right now I feel I have two good punters.”

Bowden also said his freshmen are progressing and that he could play 6-8 freshmen this year.

“A lot of times you want to red-shirt a class because you have a lot of veteran depth and that gives you that luxury. We have some depth, but if we play 6-8 freshmen this year I think it is because we have a strong recruiting class and they have the ability, so why not play them right away. I can see us playing 6-8 freshmen, including the players we brought in during the January semester.”

The offensive line continues to take the brunt of the injuries. Starting tight end Thomas Hunter missed practice with a hamstring injury, while backup center Brandon Pilgrim was elevated to a green jersey and should return to practice soon. Jamarcus Grant is out through at least the first game with a broken foot. Tramaine Billie suffered a sprained ankle on the last play of the afternoon practice.

Bowden announced after practice that red-shirt freshman Paul Muse had been released from his scholarship for a violation of team rules. Muse red-shirted the 2005 season and was listed as a reserve right end in the preseason of 2006.