Ebenezer Ogundeko\u2019s confession he participated in a Financial Transaction Card Fraud cost him his roster spot on Clemson\u2019s football team on Tuesday. It likely cost the Tigers as well.
\nOn Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney dismissed Ogundeko from the team \u201cfor a violation of team rules and behavior detrimental to our football team.\u201d
\nThough Ogundeko was not a starter, he was expected to be a contributor at defensive end in the fall. He came out of the spring workouts listed No. 2 on the Tigers\u2019 depth chart. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables bragged about how far Ogundeko had come along and how much he improved in practice.
\nHis absence will likely be felt at some point in 2015, the question is, when? Defensive end was one of the few positions on Clemson\u2019s roster this season that could not afford to lose anyone. The Tigers lost three defensive ends from the nation\u2019s No. 1 ranked defensive last year, including first-round draft selection and two-time All-American Vic Beasley.
\nShaq Lawson has stepped and has apparently taken over as the leader of this year\u2019s group, while Kevin Dodd had an excellent spring and will start fall camp as the starter opposite Lawson in place of veteran starter Corey Crawford. After that, Ogundeko was expected to fall in line as a clear backup to Lawson at the rush end position.
\nBut with Ogundeko\u2019s dismissal, the Tigers are one short at the position and defensive ends coach Marion Hobby and Venables have to figure out a way to make things work with a group that lacks overall experience and in some cases size.
\nMartin Aiken (6-2, 225) has an opportunity to secure a two-deep spot, but the coaches are still concerned about his size and overall strength. Rising sophomore Dane Rogers (6-3, 260) is another option, but he lacks experience.
\nRedshirt freshman Richard Yeargin (6-4, 225) came on in the second half of the spring and could also see the field in certain situations.
\n\u201cRichard Yeargin has really shown some things and is starting to play faster, stronger and is more sure of himself,\u201d Venables said. \u201cHe is getting more comfortable. He still has to do some things and take another step, but I have been pleased with some things from him as well.\u201d
\nJust before the end of spring practices, Chris Register asked to move from linebacker to defensive end so after a full summer of learning the position and then fall camp, he will have an opportunity to provide some depth. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Register has plenty of room to grow physically and become a good rush end or potentially a strongside end.
\n\u201cI think that is a position that will fit his skills well. When he learns all of the little things like where to put his eyes and how to get in the stance, he will get better,\u201d Venables said. \u201cHe is a worker, he cares and he wants to play. He can tackle and he can run.
\n\u201cHe is intelligent. He will come along and he will make a big jump here during the course of summer and fall camp.\u201d
\nAt the end of the spring, it seemed as if Venables was content at keeping freshman Albert Huggins (6-3, 280) inside at defensive tackle to help with depth there, but now the Orangeburg native is likely to move back outside, which is where he started the spring.
\n\u201cAlbert Huggins has gotten out there and has done a few good things for a young guy,\u201d Venables said. \u201cHe is learning the speed of the game and is learning his responsibilities and technique.\u201d
\nBamberg-Ehrhardt product LaSamuel Davis (6-4, 215) could come in and help with depth, but he is more than likely to redshirt since he is not reporting to school until later this summer and he has to gain weight and strength to his tall frame.<\/p>\n