Clemson Football

To a large degree, the Clemson University football team that returns to work Saturday will look much like the one that took the field 10 weeks ago in Orlando, Fla.

The most evident changes are at quarterback and on defense, where the depth chart was tweaked, but a couple subtle adjustments on offense are stirring interest.

Receiver Rendrick Taylor will work at a hybrid fullback/tight end position to exploit his size and skills, and Jacoby Ford, a mid-year freshman transfer, is regarded as a potential big-play receiver with the speed to stretch the field.

"We do have more weapons," coach Tommy Bowden said Thursday, "on both sides of the ball."

Even so, with 17 starters returning from last season Bowden said things are far from settled because Charlie Whitehurst won't be at quarterback.

"Our biggest question mark is probably the most important question mark," Bowden said. "We're unsettled at probably the most important position on the team."

Unsettled in that Will Proctor, who served as Whitehurst's backup for three seasons, has minimal though meaningful experience.

"He's probably the least experienced of all the starters," Bowden said of Proctor.

Last season, Proctor came off the bench to finish off a win against Texas A&M, then started and beat Duke University while Whitehurst nursed a shoulder injury.

Proctor completed 18 of 31 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown in four appearances.

"The opportunities he had to perform, he performed well," Bowden said. "Those tests he passed, but that's not a lot of tests in this conference at that level of competition."

Proctor is clearly the No. 1 quarterback, with Cullen Harper and Tribble Reese next on the depth chart. "It's really not open," Bowden said. "Those guys are battling for No.2."

The depth chart lists eight returning starters on offense, seven on defense, plus the kicker and punter.

C.J. Gaddis moves from cat safety to cornerback, replacing Tye Hill. Duane Coleman steps ahead of Sergio Gilliam at the other corner. Antonio Clay moves from middle linebacker to compete with Tramaine Billie at strongside linebacker. "I think that's going to be a good battle," Bowden said and Cortney Vincent moves from bandit end to middle linebacker behind Anthony Waters. Chris Clemons is listed as the starter at free safety, and Phillip Merling replaces Charles Bennett at end.

Also returning, as tight ends coach, will be Billy Napier, the former Furman University quarterback who spent a season as an offensive assistant at South Carolina State following a stint as a graduate assistant at Clemson.

Bowden hopes to have his new defensive line coach officially in place soon, but former University of Memphis assistant coach Chris Rumph has been working out of Marion Hobby's old office.