Clemson Running Back Needs To Show Leadership Going Forward

During possibly Clemson’s biggest game of this season there was one huge thing lacking from the field for most of the game.

What was that, you might ask? Experienced leadership from one of the deepest and most talented positions the Tigers have, their running back corp. Tigers running back Lyn-J Dixon had one carry in the game and it was the longest run of the night by Clemson.

What we found out in the post game from head coach Dabo Swinney was that this was due to disciplinary reasons. The senior from Butler, Georgia was in for only one series and not only did he have the longest carry during of the game but it was also the only series that the team scored on.

Dixon has got to keep out of trouble and stay out of the coaching staff’s dog house. The running back corp, as stated earlier, is one of the more talented positions on this team, but outside of Dixon and Darien Rencher, there is little game experience to speak of.

Of course, everyone was looking forward to seeing what explosive plays sophomore Kobe Pace and freshman Will Shipley would bring to the game and rightfully so, but it was evident early on that these two weren’t inexperienced enough. They both hit the holes that they were supposed to on the running plays but neither seemed to show the ability to adjust if the hole wasn’t there.

Going forward Clemson needs Dixon to be the leader that is expected out of a senior if they want to get their seventh straight ACC championship and challenge for a playoff spot. His leadership and ability to hit the open hole can go a long way in not only helping the Tigers win but also help these younger studs grow into better players more quickly.