Tag: Roddy Jones

ESPN analysts weigh in on what Clemson needs to fix

During ESPN’s College Football Live on Wednesday, a couple of analysts weighed in on what No. 5 Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC) needs to fix to be a serious contender. Roddy Jones pointed to the Tigers’ secondary, which struggled mightily in their 51-45, …

During ESPN’s College Football Live on Wednesday, a couple of analysts weighed in on what No. 5 Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC) needs to fix to be a serious contender.

Roddy Jones pointed to the Tigers’ secondary, which struggled mightily in their 51-45, double-overtime win at Wake Forest last Saturday.

“I am still confident about Clemson. But yes, there are things they need to fix, and I think it starts with that secondary,” Jones said. “Wake Forest was really able to take advantage of them down the field in one-on-one coverage, and the Clemson defensive backs committed so many pass interference penalties – ten penalties total, five of them pass interference, a couple more holdings.

“So, it’s a young group right now because they’re banged up on the back end. Guys like Nate Wiggins and Jeadyn Lukus and Toriano Pride, those guys have to show more composure at the top of routes, especially on those jump balls that Wake Forest threw down the field. So, they’ve got to really improve there.”

“Stanford” Steve Coughlin, meanwhile, went on the other side of the ball to highlight the area in which he thinks Clemson must improve.

“I look at the offensive side, and when you look at DJ (Uiagalelei) last week, best game of the year by far. But I also look at the balance of the offense,” he said. “To me, everybody’s going to talk about the quarterback, everybody’s going to talk about the receivers. I’m here to talk about the offensive line. They need to be more consistent, whether it’s run or pass. Only a little over 100 yards rushing against Georgia Tech, who’s not a good team, no offense. I’m not going to talk about my alma mater, either. But then I also look at last week, (Will) Shipley breaks off a big run, (53) yards to start it, and then it’s a little over a hundred yards after that against Wake Forest, who’s a defense that I think can get got.

“So, I look at Clemson’s offensive line as an area for sure that they need to improve on and they have to be better against that front seven against NC State this week if they want to win this game.”

Clemson’s matchup against 10th-ranked NC State (4-0, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday at Death Valley is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

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Analyst on what he needs to see from Clemson’s offense before conference play

Fourth-ranked Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC) is set to face another non-conference opponent tonight in Louisiana Tech (1-1, 0-0 Conference USA) at Death Valley (8 p.m., ACC Network). After that, the Tigers will head into ACC play, traveling to Wake Forest …

Fourth-ranked Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC) is set to face another non-conference opponent tonight in Louisiana Tech (1-1, 0-0 Conference USA) at Death Valley (8 p.m., ACC Network).

After that, the Tigers will head into ACC play, traveling to Wake Forest next Saturday, Sept. 24 before returning home to host NC State the following Saturday, Oct. 1.

On ACCN this week, former Georgia Tech standout and current analyst Roddy Jones was asked what he needs to see from Clemson’s offense before the Tigers get into conference play.

“In terms of what we need to see from this offense, he (DJ Uiagalelei) actually needs some more help around him, I think,” Jones said. “That offensive line was OK against Georgia Tech, they were better against Furman. The receivers haven’t been explosive the last couple of seasons, and they’re gonna need that. I think they’re going to incorporate a guy like Antonio Williams a lot more. He gives them an explosive aspect from that slot receiver position.”

Jones likes the confidence and swagger that he’s seen Clemson’s starting quarterback play with over the first two games of this season.

“On your confidence point and having fun, this is the most crap I’ve seen DJ Uiagalelei talk on the field his entire Clemson career,” Jones said. “So, it looks like he’s playing with a little bit of swagger. You saw it against Georgia Tech, when he’s barking at a guy going in the end zone. You saw it against Furman, he’s getting up chirping, which I like from a quarterback who has sort of taken the heat from the outside.”

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Analyst says Uiagalelei’s performance ‘gives people a little bit of a chill pill’

During ACC Network’s broadcast of Clemson’s home opener vs. Furman on Saturday afternoon at Death Valley, color commentator Roddy Jones weighed in on DJ Uiagalelei’s performance in the first two quarters against the Paladins. Uiagalelei went …

During ACC Network’s broadcast of Clemson’s home opener vs. Furman on Saturday afternoon at Death Valley, color commentator Roddy Jones weighed in on DJ Uiagalelei’s performance in the first two quarters against the Paladins.

Uiagalelei went 15-of-18 for 203 yards and a touchdown in the first half, helping the Tigers take a 28-9 lead into the locker room. The junior quarterback also led Clemson in rushing yards at the half with 33 yards on four carries.

“I think he is having the type of performance that calms some of the heat that’s going on around that position,” said Jones, a former Georgia Tech star running back.

“Now, the question coming in about accuracy, about his ability when the pocket breaks down a little bit, those are still going to be there until you have a body of work to prove it. But this is what you want to see. When it looks like what it’s supposed to look like, it gives people a little bit of a chill pill when you’ve got the five-star freshman who’s the No. 1 quarterback in the country behind you.”

That five-star freshman, Cade Klubnik, made an appearance in the first half of Saturday’s game, entering on Clemson’s fourth possession. He went 0-for-1 passing on the lone drive of the half for Clemson that resulted in a punt.

The Tigers scored a touchdown on all four of the possessions led by Uiagalelei in the first half. He then began the second half with an 9-yard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins on Clemson’s first possession of the third quarter.

ESPN analyst gives take on who Clemson’s starting QB will be by end of season

A former ACC standout and current analyst recently provided his opinion on how he sees Clemson’s quarterback competition playing out this season. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made it clear coming out of the spring that rising junior D.J. …

A former ACC standout and current analyst recently provided his opinion on how he sees Clemson’s quarterback competition playing out this season.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made it clear coming out of the spring that rising junior D.J. Uiagalelei is still the starting signal-caller. But by the end of the 2022 season, Roddy Jones believes touted true freshman Cade Klubnik will have usurped Uiagalelei’s starting spot.

The former Georgia Tech running back and current ESPN/ACC Network analyst appeared on The Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio this past week and was asked, “At the end of this season, the way we talk about D.J. Uiagalelei is going to be what?”

“That’s a great question,” Jones said. “Because to be honest, if I was a betting man, I would say we aren’t talking about D.J. Uiagalelei — we’d be talking about Cade Klubnik as the starting quarterback at Clemson.”

“Some of that’s the fact you get a new toy in and everyone’s always excited about the backup quarterback because he hasn’t made any mistakes in a game,” Jones added.

As for Uiagalelei, Jones says he needs to see more accuracy from him to believe it after he completed only 55.6 percent of his passes as a sophomore last season with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9).

“In terms of what they want this offense to be… if you’re going to run the ball and make that the primary thing, make that the thing that you’re best at, your quarterback needs to be accurate when you do throw the ball,” Jones said. “And I think D.J., from what he’s shown so far, is going to continue to struggle with accuracy. And until he doesn’t, he’s got to prove it until I believe that’s going to be something that’s rectified.”

Jones added that Clemson’s offense could have a “higher floor” with Klubnik at the helm.

“Cade Klubnik, by all accounts, is a guy who is very accurate, just innately, as a passer,” Jones said. “So, even if you have to simplify the pass game a little bit off of it, he might give that offense a higher floor with the talent that they have at running back.

“So I’m going to be honest with you, if I had to wager, I would say we’re talking about D.J. Uiagalelei as the backup by the end of the year and Cade Klubnik as the starter.”

ACC analyst expects a ‘slugfest’ in the Atlantic Division this season

On Packer and Durham on ACC Network this week, Mark Packer opined that America will fall asleep on the quality of the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Packer believes the Atlantic will be “outstanding” with a trio of expected preseason top-25 teams (if not …

On Packer and Durham on ACC Network this week, Mark Packer opined that America will fall asleep on the quality of the ACC’s Atlantic Division.

Packer believes the Atlantic will be “outstanding” with a trio of expected preseason top-25 teams (if not top-20 or top-15 teams) in Clemson, Wake Forest and NC State, to go with teams like Louisville, Florida State and Boston College that he thinks “are legit and can cause problems.”

Former Georgia Tech running back and current ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones, who joined Packer and Durham as a guest this week, agreed with Packer’s take on the Atlantic Division heading into the 2022 season.

“If the national media does fall asleep on it, then maybe we should take their credentials,” Jones said. “Because you’re going to have teams that are fighting in that top 10 really all season, I think, and I think it will be a couple of them. Now, Clemson and Wake Forest play early on in the season, so that’s going to hurt one of them in terms of that race. But NC State is going to be really good. Clemson is going to be really good. Wake Forest, we saw them, they’re going to be really good. … So, the Atlantic Division is going to be a slugfest.”

The Tigers, Demon Deacons and Wolfpack enter the season with high expectations and hype around them, but Jones believes it’s the other teams in the division — Louisville, Florida State, Syracuse and Boston College — that may catch people by surprise with their play this season.

“I think that second tier is going to be the place that people are the most surprised, if you haven’t been paying attention,” Jones said.

“Louisville, offensively, is going to be as good as I think they’ve been under Scott Satterfield. You look at Florida State, which the arrow was pointing up and to the right on Florida State. Constant improvement. They really figured that offense out and how to move the ball with Jordan Travis last year, and I think they’re only going to expand on that as they get better on offense, get older on defense as well, which is going to be a big one. Syracuse defensively last year was really good, and I think they will be again this year. Offensively, can they throw the ball a little bit better? But they’ve got maybe the best player on that side of the conference in Sean Tucker, and then you’ve got Garrett Shrader, a guy who’s going to give people a lot of problems. Then you mentioned Boston College. They’ve got to replace a lot on the offensive line, but you get Phil Jurkovec back.”

Looking at the division right now on paper, Jones doesn’t see a team that opponents can circle as an “easy win.”

“There’s no team in the Atlantic that you look at right now and say alright, that’s an easy win, which is going to make the division really fun,” he said.

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ESPN analyst: Swinney must ‘start to embrace the portal’

During ESPN’s College Football Live: Signing Day Special on Wednesday, ESPN/ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones discussed Clemson’s coaching staff shakeup, with longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables leaving for the head coaching job at Oklahoma …

During ESPN’s College Football Live: Signing Day Special on Wednesday, ESPN/ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones discussed Clemson’s coaching staff shakeup, with longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables leaving for the head coaching job at Oklahoma and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott departing to take over as the head coach at Virginia.

Head coach Dabo Swinney filled those spots on his staff internally, promoting Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, while promoting Wes Goodwin from senior defensive assistant to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach and also giving safeties coach Mickey Conn the role of co-defensive coordinator.

Jones was asked what the biggest challenge is for Swinney in the wake of his staff changes, and while he acknowledged that those changes present a major challenge moving forward, he believes an even bigger challenge for Swinney will be embracing the changing times in college football and starting to take advantage of the NCAA transfer portal to Clemson’s benefit.

“I think it’s going to be the adjustment to something that everyone around the country is seeing — he’s seeing guys jump in the transfer portal at a higher rate than he’s used to, had some decommitments after Brent Venables went to Oklahoma,” Jones said. “So, obviously filling the spots on the coaching staff, a coaching staff that’s had so much continuity, is going to be a massive challenge. But evolving is going to be a bigger challenge. He’s going to have to start to embrace the portal a little bit more, in my opinion.”

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Former ACC star, current analyst: ‘Clemson should watch out’ for Syracuse

A college football analyst and former ACC star gave his thoughts on the upcoming game between Clemson and Syracuse on Friday night in the Carrier Dome. Former Georgia Tech running back and current ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones joined the Gramlich …

A college football analyst and former ACC star gave his thoughts on the upcoming game between Clemson and Syracuse on Friday night in the Carrier Dome.

Former Georgia Tech running back and current ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones joined the Gramlich and Mac Lain podcast with Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain to talk about the matchup between the Tigers and the Orange.

Jones gives Clemson the edge heading into the contest but believes the Tigers better “watch out” for Cuse on Friday night.

“If I had to pick the game, I’d pick Clemson,” Jones said. “But absolutely, I would say watch out. Because if Clemson could score, I’d feel OK about it. But Syracuse is gonna make this a short game.”

Jones gave an idea of what he thinks the Orange’s game plan offensively against Clemson’s defense will look like.

“Syracuse is going to run the football,” he said, “and it’s almost like playing a triple-option team because it’s gonna be (running back) Sean Tucker, Sean Tucker, (quarterback) Garrett Shrader out the backfield. Sean Tucker, Sean Tucker, play-action, take a shot downfield. Sean Tucker, Sean Tucker, let’s dump it out to the flat and make you tackle in space. So from that aspect, you have to be locked in. And then defensively, they run that 3-3-5, and there’s a number of teams that do it in the league. But they are probably the most multiple out of it.”

Kickoff of Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m. and it will be televised on ESPN.

“I would absolutely say Clemson should watch out because it could get weird up there in the Carrier Dome,” Jones said.

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Former ACC star, current analyst still has faith in Clemson

On College Sports Sunday on SiriusXM, former Georgia Tech star running back and current ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones was jokingly asked if it’s too soon to etch it in stone that Wake Forest will make the College Football Playoff after starting …

On College Sports Sunday on SiriusXM, former Georgia Tech star running back and current ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones was jokingly asked if it’s too soon to etch it in stone that Wake Forest will make the College Football Playoff after starting the season 6-0.

Jones laughed and said, “Yeah, it’s too soon.”

“We’ve got to see what Clemson looks like after the bye week,” he added. “I’m not saying they’re going to be markedly better on offense, but if they’re slightly better on offense, then they’re a top-10 team because of what that defense has been doing this season.”

Jones went on to say that in his opinion, Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) is still the favorite to win the ACC this season even though Wake Forest (6-0, 4-0) and NC State (4-1, 1-0) are both currently ahead of the Tigers in the Atlantic Division standings.

“It’s still Clemson. I mean, it is, just until proven otherwise,” Jones said. “NC State obviously has been in the driver’s seat, they should be. But I have more faith in Clemson not losing a game the rest of the way than NC State not losing two games, just because of what I saw against Mississippi State.

“You’ve got to see multiple weeks of them playing that level, the same level that they played against Clemson, so that you know you don’t have that Mississippi State performance still in them. Because they honestly could have lost to Louisiana Tech. Louisiana Tech’s throwing the ball in the end zone to win the game at the end of the game. So, if you have the rollercoaster that you’ve had … They’re going to get beat a couple times in the ACC if they do that in the league.”

Jones added that outside of Clemson, Pittsburgh (4-1, 1-0) is the second favorite of his to win the ACC Championship.

“But they play Clemson down the line (on Oct. 23 in Pittsburgh),” he said. “So, that always hurts a Coastal Divison team getting in the championship game. Although this Clemson team, if Pitt can put up 30, are we sure that Clemson can? Because I’m not.”

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How concerned are these ESPN analysts about Clemson’s offense?

How concerning is Clemson’s offense given its subpar performance through the first three games of the 2021 season? That’s the question ESPN analysts Sam Acho and Roddy Jones were asked during Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s College Football Live. The …

How concerning is Clemson’s offense given its subpar performance through the first three games of the 2021 season?

That’s the question ESPN analysts Sam Acho and Roddy Jones were asked during Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s College Football Live.

The two analysts weighed in on the issues they see with the Tigers’ attack, which currently ranks tied for 105th among FBS programs in scoring offense (22.0 points per game), 101st nationally in passing offense (188.7 passing yards per game), 93rd nationally in rushing offense (134.0 rushing yards per game) and 114th nationally in total offense (322.7 total yards per game).

Here’s what Acho and Jones had to say about their level of concern for Clemson’s offense:

Acho: “I actually am concerned a little bit about Clemson’s offense. Number one, D.J. Uiagalelei has not found a way to get a rhythm. That’s number one. Number two, they’ve lost a ton of playmakers. Like, all those guys aren’t even just on the receiver position, but even offensive line — guys like Jackson Carman are now in the NFL, Travis Etienne, all those playmakers. You’ve got to find some new ones. So, D.J.’s got to find a groove. You can’t find it, obviously number one, against Georgia. That defense shut them down. And then secondly, people need to step up, and that’s what we’re not seeing. We obviously always expect, it’s Clemson, they’re going to figure it out, they’re going to find a way. But Trevor Lawrence was a generational talent, and D.J. still has a lot left to prove.”

Jones: “The level of concern in the Clemson offense is high. … After Tajh Boyd left Clemson, we forget that there was a Cole Stoudt year when Deshaun Watson was a true freshman when that offense didn’t perform to the level that we were accustomed to. After Deshaun Watson left, we forget that Kelly Bryant was the quarterback of Clemson before Trevor Lawrence took over after four games the next season, and that offense was not what we were accustomed to. So, maybe the fact that it takes a little bit, after a generational quarterback leaves your program, should be expected.

“Now, they’ve got a ton of talent on that offense. The offensive line, though, is kind of in its second year where it has not performed up to the standard that Clemson is compared to, the College Football Playoff-level teams. So, the offensive line has to improve, they’ve got to figure out their running back situation. It looks like Will Shipley is going to be the guy. But there are concerns throughout that Clemson offense I would say.”

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