Athlon has started ranking teams by their separate lines and positions. So far Clemson is representing in the top ten in a majority of the lists. Here is what has been published so far:

Running Backs:
6. Clemson

Receiving Corps:
5. ClemsonClemson’s Chansi Stuckey is the top returning receiver in the Atlantic Coast Conference after leading the league in receptions per game in 2005 with 5.33, exceeding even Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson’s total. Stuckey caught 64 passes, four for scores, and was first-team All-ACC. He also handles punt return duties for the Tigers — he scored the only touchdown of the game for Clemson on a runback in the season opener against Texas A&M. Also returning is Aaron Kelly, the ACC’s top freshman receiver in 2005 with 47 catches, the second-most pass receptions by a freshman in school history. Stuckey has caught at least one pass in each of the 21 games he has played; Kelly caught at least two passes in each game last fall.

Offensive Line:
6. Clemson

Linebackers:
2. ClemsonClemson returns its top three tacklers from 2005 — linebackers Anthony Waters, Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie. Waters, who anchors the group from his post in the middle, is the top returning tackler in the ACC, having chalked up 109 total stops, including 13.5 for a loss, in 2005. He also broke up seven passes. Watkins had 99 tackles and an INT from his weak-side spot. Billie is fighting off the challenge of Antonio Clay, who came up with 27 tackles as a freshman, on the strong side.

And that is all ranked in comparison to THE NATION not the ACC.

Now Athlon doesn’t seem to be the most reliable source for sports logic with Oklahoma as their preseason favorite and that annoying bandwagon group of leprechauns (gnomes have a natural distaste for the little buggars) at 2. Clemson is ranked at #12, which makes you drool for that first kick of the season, but is a bit generous in my mind.

Check back on Athlon to keep up with the rest of the rankings though.

Posted on Wednesday, July 5th, 2006 at 8:23 pm by Clem

Filed under Uncategorized.

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