Staying Patient
It’s been a long time since Clemson has had four capable players at the running back position at one time.
In fact, has there ever been a time in Clemson’s history where four different running backs could play at any point in a game and there wouldn’t be any significant drop-off?
If there hasn’t been before, it certainly feels like now is the time.
The top four candidates that continue to compete for the starting job are Tavien Feaster, CJ Fuller, Adam Choice and Travis Etienne. The depth at this position speaks to the “We Too Deep” persona that Clemson has built its name on in recent years.
The depth chart right now looks like this:
1. CJ Fuller
2a. Tavien Feaster
2b. Adam Choice
4. Travis Etienne
Through three games, we have learned that all of those backs are capable of contributing to the Tigers’ high-powered offense. All backs have around 15-20 carries on the year and, surprisingly, Etienne leads the way with 179 rushing yards on the least amount of carries (14).
Each back has their strengths.
For this offense, the biggest strength you can have is arguably experience and Fuller and Choice are the leaders in that category. With experience as redshirt juniors comes a more distinct knowledge of the playbook and how to pass block. Fuller can run the ball well, pass block and brings another dynamic to the receiving game as seen in the Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State.
Feaster and Etienne bring the “wow” factor and are the most explosive runners of the group. We’ve heard all offseason how Feaster has continued to develop and how coach Tony Elliott’s eyes light up when he talks about Etienne due to how he can consistently bust open a big play in practice.
It’s a healthy competition and all the guys have been able to continue to get reps and showcase their abilities. You really get the sense that the most unselfish guys on this team are these four running backs. Not once has a veteran guy like Fuller complained about not getting enough touches or splitting time with the other backs.
Arguably, the most productive back so far for Clemson has been Feaster. He rushed for 92 yards on 10 carries against Louisville. Most of the time when he got the ball, he was one missed tackle away from breaking off a long run for a score. He has 19 total carries for 176 yards on the year.
With Feaster being another guy in the rotation, he knows that he has to stay patient and embrace his opportunity every down he is on the field.
“It’s healthy competition. Week in and week out, you have to make most of your opportunities when you get in there,” Feaster said Tuesday. “You can’t have a lot of mistakes and you have to be a sound football player when you get in there. Those guys are great coming off the sideline. They are ready to jump in there and play.”
Patience is truly a virtue for this 2017 Clemson team.
The team is full of players that have had to wait their turn before they could show the college football world what they could do. Kelly Bryant waited behind a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist in Deshaun Watson. Dorian O’Daniel waited behind Ben Boulware, who was the defensive MVP in the national championship game.
It’s not easy for a player to sit around and wait their turn. You want to be a supportive teammate, but you also want to showcase the abilities that you know you have. It was no different for O’Daniel:
“There were times where I’ve been discouraged. I’m not sure I wanted to play linebacker anymore or if I made the right choice this and that,” O’Daniel said. “But Swinney does a good job of preaching to us stay the course and just trust the process. And at the right time, if you work hard, then it’ll show up on game day.”
O’Daniel stayed patient and is now a leader of this Clemson defense that looks to be one of the best in the country.
Feaster looks to guys like Bryant and O’Daniel as role models when it comes to waiting on your moment.
“When you see guys like Dorian and Kelly, you just know that no matter how down you are feeling, your time is going to come,” Feaster said. “You just have to be patient and stay patient. Those guys are prime examples and are making the most of the opportunity every time they are on the field. I am very happy for them and the success they have had this season.”
This weekend will be another game that all four backs should be able to play in. Boston College’s defense has allowed 279 rushing yards per game and gave up 515 yards on the ground last weekend to Notre Dame.
Feaster and the rest of the backs will continue to make the most of every opportunity they get and try to separate themselves from the pack.
Coach Elliott usually shares with the group who will get the initial start on Fridays and that won’t change this week.
The others will just sit back, stay patient and wait their turn knowing that they’ll be ready when their name is called.