Maye in December? Refocused

CLEMSON -- This week and next year, Clemson needs Brandon Maye at his colliding best.

If you watched the Tigers' defense for more than a few plays this season, you know No. 20. Sticks out like a palm tree in the middle of Tennessee.

Maye was the animated guy waving his arms to incite home crowds and making lots of tackles, when things were going well.

Or chasing South Carolina and Georgia Tech running backs into the secondary when plans were falling apart.

"He's been like a lot of guys," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said of the 6-3, 230-pound sophomore. "He's had some good moments, and he's had some really good games. He's been player of the game a couple times. But he's been a little inconsistent down the stretch. Just like a lot of other guys, we need him to play a little bit better."

No one personifies the Clemson defense going into next Sunday's Music City Bowl game against Kentucky more than its middle linebacker from Mobile, Ala.

Maye is fire and -- upon a misread -- ice.

"Execution and focus," were the issues over the last two games, he said.

Leadership void

It's never good to give up 223 yards rushing against South Carolina, as the Tigers did in a 34-17 loss. Worse to allow 333 yards rushing against Georgia Tech a week later in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.

Bouncing back against Kentucky will put a Band-Aid on the wound for 8-5 Clemson.

But Maye's influence beyond Nashville has become increasingly important one week into Music City Bowl preparations. Asked to name likely senior leaders for 2010, Swinney mentioned, among others, wide receivers Xavier Dye and Terrance Ashe (who haven't caught many passes), defensive lineman Miguel Chavis (who doesn't start), and safety DeAndre McDaniel (who might bolt for the NFL).

Maye as a 2010 junior has leadership qualities.

He leads Clemson with 103 tackles, was eighth in the ACC in tackles per game and is a Dean's List student majoring in Sociology.

"I take it as an opportunity to get guys lined up and have fun and just be that emotional leader," Maye said of his take-charge role .

"Guys like to see it if we're down by seven points and I'm still smiling and saying, 'Come on, let's go. Pick it up.' This is just a great opportunity given to me by God," he said.

'Like McClain'

Stepping forward is necessary, too. The starting linebackers on both sides of Maye -- Kevin Alexander and Kavell Conner -- are seniors. So is Maye's backup, Jeremy Campbell.

To improve next season, Maye has goals that help explain why he struggled at times this year: Get stronger, get more comfortable within defensive coordinator Kevin Steele's relatively complex system.

"I'll know all three of our linebacker positions by August," Maye said, "so I can teach the other guys. I want to be like (All-American Rolando) McClain at Alabama."

Of course, Maye and his teammates are disappointed. The loss to Georgia Tech in Tampa cost them a trip to the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Now it's Nashville and a frost watch.

"We just have to come out and keep playing and not worry about the weather," Maye said.

"We're not where we wanted to be, in the Orange Bowl. But we're happy to be playing in a bowl game.

"Some people don't have that blessing. If we continue to work hard, things will work out."

If not by the end of this week, maybe by the start of next season.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5593.Maye in December? Refocused