2008 OUTLOOK: Clemson looks to be the favorite in the Atlantic Division race and in fact should get a lot of support for the conference championship with 15 of 22 starters returning from a team that went 9-4 last year. The Tigers have a collection of skill players on offense that are among the league's best. The defense is thin at linebacker but still returns eight starters. The schedule is favorable early with four of their first five games at home and the opener against Alabama at a neutral site (Atlanta), but later the Tigers must face Wake Forest on the road and then Boston College and Florida State in back-to-back road games.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The Tigers have plenty of firepower. Senior QB Cullen Harper, who set 21 school records in his first season as a starter last year, and James Davis and C.J. Spiller at tailback, are All-ACC talents. WR Aaron Kelly, who had 88 receptions last year, also returns. The concern is in the line, where C Thomas Austin is the only returning starter. RG Barry Humphries, who had five starts at center in 2007, also returns, however, along with RT Chris Hairston, who started in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
LBs Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie, who started most of their four years, and DE Phillip Merling, an early entry in the NFL draft, are the key losses. All four starters, including All-ACC candidate S Michael Hamlin, and five backups return in the secondary, making it the deepest unit on the defense. S Chris Clemmons, who has started the last two years, and CBs Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler are the other returning starters. DT Dorell Scott also is a strong candidate for postseason honors and returns along with two other starters up front in DE Ricky Sapp and DT Rashaad Jackson.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Both kickers, P Jimmy Maners and PK Phillip Buchholz, return, but they have some work to do. Maners averaged just under 43 yards a punt, but only 35 yards in net punting and coach Tommy Bowden would like to see him improve his hang time. Buchholz was only 22-for-38 on field goals, but won't be doing double duty in soccer, which should help his consistency. Redshirt freshman Richard Jackson could push Buchholz in the fall, however. Spiller and Ford give the Tigers breakaway threats in both punt and kickoff returns.

ROSTER REPORT

--WR Jacoby Ford, who was lost for the season with an ankle injury in the Maryland game in mid-October, dressed out for the spring game but didn't play. He should be 100 percent by the time the Tigers report in the fall, however.

--RB James Davis required arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder during the spring workouts and missed most of the spring workouts. He is expected to be ready for the fall. Five other Tigers had surgery following the spring session. WR Tyler Grisham (knee), RT Chris Hairston (shoulder), LB Brandon Maye (knee), FB Chad Diehl (ankle) and TE Akeem Robinson (knee) are expected to be ready for the fall.

--LB Cortney Vincent's status won't be resolved until after completion of spring semester exams, the Columbia State reported. Vincent was suspended for violation of team and athletic department policy and faces DUI charges from last December. Coach Tommy Bowden said the reinstatement of Vincent, who started 12 games in 2007, was not guaranteed, according to the newspaper.

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