Regardless the offensive scheme, one of the scariest things facing Coach Dabo Swinney next season is the possibility Clemson might be a rolled ankle away from playing with a freshman quarterback.
Tony McNeal of Chester and Cole Stoudt of Dublin, Ohio, are scheduled to enroll next week, giving Clemson three scholarship quarterbacks along with rising sophomore Tajh Boyd.
Odds are Boyd will emerge as the starter, but McNeal and Stoudt are intensely competitive young men, their high school coaches said, who believe they can push him right up to the opening kickoff.
"Tony is going to fit very well at this level. All he's got to do is go in there and learn the playbook,"
said Chester High coach Anthony Sterling. "He should go in and push these other guys for time."
Mark Crabtree, coach at Coffman High in Dublin, said Stoudt has a clear understanding of what he faces.
"He realizes Tajh Boyd has a leg up on him,"
Crabtree said.
"He doesn't get overly excited good or bad. He's the same even-keeled guy, but you know I think that's what makes him good."
"He's going down there with one purpose in mind,"
he said. "I'm going down there to learn, knowing that if I do what I'm capable of doing I am a turned ankle away from being the guy."
Stylistically, McNeal and Stoudt are very different. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Sterling said, McNeal has the tools for the quick-paced spread scheme that Swinney prefers. At some level he's similar to Boyd.
Two inches taller and about the same weight, Cole Stoudt played in a shotgun offense at the same high school that produced former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. His father, Cliff Stoudt, had a 15-year career as a principally with the Pittsburgh Steelers as Terry Bradshaw's backup.
"He's more of a passer than he is a runner, I'm not going to lie to you, he's a passer. He's a guy that can throw it,"
said Crabtree. "In the right scheme and all I think he's got the chance to be a pretty good quarterback in that offense."
Both came through difficult injuries. A year ago McNeal underwent surgery on a torn ACL and late in his senior season and he sustained a high ankle sprain. Stoudt sustained a leg fracture his junior season.
Both are winners. Their teams made their respective state playoffs. Stoudt's lost in the first game, McNeal's in the second.
McNeal passed for nearly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior -- more than 7,700 yards and 80 TD's in three seasons. Stoudt threw for nearly 2,200 yards this season and 20 touchdowns.
Once he adapts to the speed at this level, Crabtree believes Stoudt can blossom.
"Obviously going to the college level he's going to have to be quicker on his end,"
he said. "I think his knowledge of the game will improve and his education will improve because the level of play will improve."
"I don't think any thing is going to catch him off guard other than the speed of the game."
The coaches agree that enrolling early is critical for quarterbacks because affords them a chance to acclimate to college life, the academics and spring practice.
"I won't say it's going to be easy,"
said Sterling, "but it's right on target for him because he's so mature."
"He has on his mind going in on being number one. He knows he's going to have to shoot for that and he knows he's going to come up against some challenges, but he's going to go for it. That's what he's got his mind set on."
Portions of a report by Scouts Inc., ESPN.com, on Tony McNeal:
"He is sharp, shows a fine arm, quick release and has a real feel for where to go with the football,"
Scouts writes. "McNeal is an accurate, efficient passer in the short-to-intermediate zones and is quite polished. [He] plays in a wide open attack that showcases his strengths and his ability to get the ball out on time; works from the shotgun which enhances his field vision. He has excellent feet and a quick set up. Gets rid of the ball quickly, shows a quick release and is mechanically sound."
"Stays poised in the pocket and [he] does a nice job of running through progressions. Shows very good confidence in the scheme and knows where to go with the football. Flashes the ability to be accurate under pressure and deliver the ball when he knows he's going to be hit. Shows good touch and has the ability to consistently hit his receivers on the run,"
Scouts said. "Possesses the arm strength to fit the ball into tight spots underneath and shows enough zip to be a factor outside the numbers and down the seam between the hashes."
Portions of a report by Scouts Inc., ESPN.com, on Cole Stoudt:
"Stoudt is a pocket passer that is a bit of a late bloomer. He has ideal height and a lean frame with plenty of room to add bulk and strength. He has the frame and arm to become a quality passer,"
it said. "Has adequate feet and a quick set. Is quicker than fast, but shows good mobility for a taller kid."
"(He) does a very good job of leading his receivers on crossing routes. Understands how to change up his velocities and throws a very catchable short-to-intermediate ball. In this scheme he is often in the shotgun and his most efficient throws are to short areas outside of the numbers and intermediate throws between the hashes. Throws fairly well on the run to both sides and while he is not a dual-threat, he can keep a play alive for a second passing chance."
"He is a player that will see his best football come in the future as he is still blooming with his frame and arm."
