Clemson's Harper set to take over as QB
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- Clemson backup quarterback Cullen Harper watched from the sidelines as the Tigers' passing attack stalled down the stretch last season and wondered why he wasn't called on to get it going.
"It was tough," Harper said. "Obviously, I wanted to go in because I thought I could do some things."
Harper gets to prove that to a packed house at Death Valley on Labor Day when he takes the field as Clemson's starter against Florida State.
It's a moment Harper has thought about constantly since the end of last season and something he hoped for when he signed with the Tigers nearly four years ago. "It was frustrating, but you've got to learn to be patient," he said.
Still, "it was a little longer than I thought it would be," he said.
Harper thought he would get a look toward the end of last season when fifth-year senior Will Proctor struggled to move the team when opponents decided to concentrate on stopping star runners James Davis and C.J. Spiller.
Clemson, which started 7-1, lost four of its last five games, including disheartening defeats to rival South Carolina and, in the Music City Bowl, to Kentucky. Harper did not take a snap in that final stretch.
"It was the coach's decision. They chose to stick with Proctor, and I'm sure he was capable of doing some things," Harper said. "But last year's last year. I'm looking forward to this year."
That's apparent to anyone who's watched Harper up close, James Davis said.
Harper, a 6-foot-4 junior from Alpharetta, Ga., worked to improve his leadership skills since last season ended. The Tigers have emphasized the passing game during the first two weeks of camp, James Davis said, and Harper has looked strong.
"He's going to help us win some games and I love the kid," James Davis said.
Wasn't this, some Clemson fans might say, what we heard a year ago about Proctor, a senior who had sat behind Tiger star Charlie Whitehurst for nearly four years and then was forced into action without experience?
Harper's got a quick answer: "I think they're going to be very pleased with what they're going to see."
"I can't control what I can't control," said Harper, who's played in five games over two seasons. "I can't help that I don't have much experience. All I can do is work hard every day."
Despite Harper's progress, much of the attention and interest at quarterback has gone to Clemson freshman Willy Korn. The teenager led nearby Byrnes High to two of its four consecutive state titles from 2002-05 and a few Tiger fans have envisioned Korn slipping quickly into the starting role.
Harper was bothered a bit that his work and talented were undervalued by some supporters. "That's one of those things I can't control," Harper said. "So I kind of put that behind me."
While Korn left spring as No. 2 on the depth chart, Harper earned the starting spot -- and has done nothing but build on his play, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. "Cullen's doing plenty good," the coach said. "He's been very consistent."
James Davis, who rushed for 1,187 yards and 17 touchdowns, says Harper has a strong arm that will stretch defenses this year and give he and backfield partner Spiller more room to run.
James Davis and Spiller, who rushed for 938 yards his freshman year last fall, give Clemson a powerful, one-two running punch. "I feel like we're going to be very capable of throwing the ball down the field this year," Harper said.
He is excited to finally get things going and doesn't worry about comments from Bowden that Korn is "closing the gap" between No. 1 and No. 2.
"I'm definitely very confident in what I can do," Harper says.
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