Clemson’s leader on the defensive line, senior tackle Rashaad Jackson, had surgery Tuesday to fix a torn tendon and will be out until at least midseason. Jackson, a senior, started 10 of 13 games last year and made 37 tackles, seven for losses. He was hurt in Saturday’s scrimmage.
"This is a big loss for our defense because Rashaad is not only a leader on the field but off the field as well," Bowden said. "We're like every other team, we've got 85 guys on scholarship, we'll roll another guy in there, but a guy is first-team for a reason, usually because he's better. But we do have some players there we have confidence in. That's a case where when something like that happens, if the offense can stay on the field longer, the defense is not needed as much. Ricky Sapp, and some of our ends and some of our secondary people have to be more productive to make up for his loss -- tackles for loss, deflections -- somebody has to pick up the slack."
That moves junior Jamie Cumbie, a former Parade All-American, up to the first team. Sophomore Jarvis Jenkins, another top-level former recruit, is now the second-string option. So Jackson's loss hits the Tigers in an area where they're deep, but his absence isn't being casually brushed aside.
"You're talking about a guy that's NFL material," said line coach Chris Rumph. "You've got to fill in with some guys that are playing more roles.”
The 6-7, 275-pound Cumbie moved inside from end late last season. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said Jenkins is a legitimate challenger to Cumbie for the starting role and that he was, in fact, considering putting Jenkins at first team before Jackson's injury. Jenkins has lost 20 pounds since last season. His strength is stuffing the run, while Cumbie’s is pass rushing.Said Rumph: "It's a toss-up right now. Both of those guys have probably had the best camp out of all those guys."
If necessary, the Tigers would also consider moving second-string nose guard Miguel Chavis to tackle. Senior Jock McKissic and junior Antwon Murchison round out the depth chart. Freshman Brandon Thompson remains likely to redshirt.
The Tigers, the ACC favorites on WagerWeb.com, start the season with five games in 28 days, beginning with their opener with Alabama at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 30 and running through a Sept. 27 contest with Maryland.
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