Tigers' LB corps formidable

Clemson Football Notes

CLEMSON — There's a good chance Clemson's linebackers will be the team's strength instead of its weakness this season.

The status of their top three linebackers was uncertain during the spring, but now the Tigers are looking forward to 2007 with Tramaine Billie, Antonio Clay and Nick Watkins firmly in their plans.

Coaches are optimistic that Billie, a senior who has struggled academically, will be eligible to play. Head coach Tommy Bowden is so confident that he recently gave the OK for Billie to be featured on the cover of the team's media guide.

Bowden and his staff also feel good about Clay and Watkins. After spending the spring at home in Georgia battling emotional issues stemming from his sister's death, Clay spent the first summer session in Clemson attending class and participating in voluntary workouts.

Like Billie, Watkins missed considerable practice time during the spring to focus on academics. He is also expected to be eligible.

With little experience behind them, losing one or more of the three veterans would have been a significant blow. Billie was the team's No. 3 tackler in 2005 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury a year ago during preseason camp. Watkins had a team-high 116 tackles last season, and Clay came in third with 95.

Spiller on campus

As expected, star tailback C.J. Spiller arrived on campus Thursday for the second session of summer school.

Bowden said he was never concerned that Spiller, who came close to transferring to Florida in January, would not return after spending a month at home in Lake Butler, Fla. Before Spiller went home, he had a long discussion with Bowden and assured him he's at Clemson for the long haul.

"I know what he told me when he came here," Bowden said of Spiller, who spurned Florida and Florida State to sign with the Tigers. "It took a lot of courage to do what he did. I think he has the same conviction now that he had then. He's as solid a guy as we've got on the team."

Bowden said he's not naive enough to think Florida's coaches didn't contact Spiller and encourage him to leave the Tigers.

"But he's here, so there's no sense in stirring up anything," he said. "He's here and ready to go play football."

This and that

Bowden seems happy with tailback depth. He said only an injury to Spiller, James Davis or Ray Ray McElrathbey would precipitate a player moving to the position. He said possibilities would be receiver Rendrick Taylor, or defensive backs Darius Gaither and Sadat Chambers … Bowden said receiver Markish Jones is the only 2007 signee who entered the summer in danger of not qualifying academically.

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.