Still no front-runner on QB depth chart

CLEMSON — Willy Korn is set to start at quarterback for the Tigers … "or" Kyle Parker, according the updated Clemson football depth chart released Tuesday.

There has been little movement since the April 1 roster assessment. Korn and Parker are still listed atop the depth chart at quarterback. Of the 22 combined starting offensive and defensive positions, the status of 19 remained unchanged.

The player who made the greatest gain judged by placement on the depth chart is freshman tackle J.K. Jay. Jay began the spring listed as the third-team left tackle and emerged Tuesday competing with Landon Walker and Cory Lambert for the starting right tackle spot.

Dabo Swinney praised Jay on multiple occasions this spring.

Defensively, the most notable change is the addition of Ricky Sapp to the depth chart. Sapp was held out of spring practice while rehabbing his knee following ACL surgery.

Sapp, one Clemson's best pass rushers, is listed as sharing bandit end duties with Kevin Alexander. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is attempting to get his best 11 players on the field. He said Alexander might move to linebacker this fall.

The rest of the post-spring practice, first-team defense looks exactly the same as the pre-spring unit.

Among the reserve ranks, freshman Malliciah Goodman went from unlisted to third team defensive end behind Da'Quan Bowers and Andre Branch. Jonathan Willard has moved from second-string middle linebacker to backup weakside backer.

Defensive back Marcus Gilchrist is listed as a backup to corner Chris Chancellor, though Gilchrist also spent time at safety this spring. Gilchrist figures to be the first defensive back off the bench in nickel and dime situations. The staff was pleased with the work of Sadat Chambers at free safety this spring.

At receiver, Xavier Dye and Terrence Ashe remain penciled is as the starting receivers alongside Jacoby Ford. Receivers Brandon Clear, Jaron Brown and Marquan Jones remain tagged with second-unit designations.

Whoever wins the quarterback job will hand the ball to C.J. Spiller, with Jamie Harper and Berkeley High product Andre Ellington in reserve at running back.

After his outstanding spring, Rendrick Taylor is the first option at the fullback, where a starter was not listed prior to spring practice.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.