Man in the middle

CLEMSON -- Perhaps no player in Clemson camp, or student in the library stacks, was challenged with as much memorization this spring and summer as sophomore middle linebacker Brandon Maye.

While focus centered on young quarterbacks absorbing the playbook, Maye is the quarterback of a defense having undergone a complete makeover under new coordinator Kevin Steele.

Steele's aggressive schemes are in sharp contrast to former coordinator Vic Koenning's philosophy, influenced from Steele's work as a lieutenant under defensive guru Nick Saban and zone-blitz master Dom Capers.

Steele borrowed from all his experiences in creating his "package defense" at Clemson, a hybrid of 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. Maye, the man in the middle, is to be his coach on the field, one who can make the proper calls and align the front seven.

Less than a week until the opening kickoff against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Maye admitted Monday: "It's a big adjustment. I still don't have it all down right now."

Though fear not, Clemson Nation, Maye said he has a grasp on "95 percent" of the game plan for Middle Tennessee, which features four- and five-receiver formations in its spread attack.

Though installation of Steele's catalogue is painstaking -- the Alabama manuals Steele draws from are as thick as a Mumbai phonebook -- Maye believes the defense will be better off as whole, a scheme he calls "professional."

Maye said the team has absorbed so many different schemes, and prepared for so many situations that even if an opponent pulls out some unexpected tactic, the Tigers will be able to adjust in real time.

Clemson should be better prepared to shift from the Blue Raiders' spread to Georgia Tech's triple-option on short rest next Thursday.

Moreover, the Tigers also have countless new ways of disguising blitzes and coverages to confuse opposing quarterbacks, including elusive Blue Raiders quarterback Dwight Dasher, a run-pass threat.

"It's a self-adjusting defense," Maye said. "We can go into our library … pull from our memory."

If Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has any concerns with Maye absorbing schemes, he has not addressed them. Swinney praised the progress of the linebacking corps last week.

The staff does want the fiery Maye to better control his emotions. Maye was ejected from a spring scrimmage for an emotional flare up. Steele, himself a high-emotion guy, told Maye to think about his "mom or someone special" when he felt an outburst about to boil over.

Clemson can't afford for Maye to lose his head.

He was fourth on the team in tackles last season (87), picking up various freshman All-American honors in the process. And he now carries as much knowledge of the defense of any player in the front seven.

Maye said he has also bulked his 6-3 frame up to 235 pounds, a bit heavier from his 220-225 playing weight of a year ago. Maye said it was not imperative he add weight, noting smaller linebackers like former Florida State star Ernie Sims have thrived under Steele. Maye thinks the added strength will help him shed blocks.

So after a spring and summer in a new scheme with increased responsibilities, is he ready?

Said Maye: "I've gotta be ready."

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