Tavien Feaster should take lead in Clemson's crowded backfield

Manie Robinson
The Greenville News
Clemson running back Tavien Feaster (28) carries against Louisville during the 3rd quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Louisville's Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Clemson University’s running back rotation is working. The Tigers have split carries among four tailbacks and rank third in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 249.7 rushing yards per game.

Clemson does not need to disband its running back committee, but it may need to appoint a new chairman. Sophomore Tavien Feaster is the top candidate. He has exhibited a combination of speed, power and agility that has separated him from the other veterans in the group.

Through three games, Feaster has averaged 9.3 yards per carry. That rate would rank him fourth in the NCAA Division I bowl subdivision. However, he does not qualify for that ledger. It only includes players who average at least 10 carries per game.

Feaster averaged merely 6.3 carries through the first three outings. In each of those contests, C.J. Fuller took the first carry, and, by a slight margin, he also took the most. Nevertheless, Feaster has netted 82 more yards than Fuller, on two fewer carries.

As a redshirt junior, Fuller has invested more time in the program, but his seniority does not grant him an edge over Feaster. By that policy, fellow redshirt junior Adam Choice would be higher in the pecking order, especially considering he has averaged 5.6 yards per carry, 1.1 more than Fuller. 

Fuller has earned the top honor without the ball. After studying three seasons behind Wayne Gallman, Fuller completely comprehends the complex blocking schemes in Clemson’s offense. He is the most reliable pass protector.

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He remains the starter this week against Boston College, according to the depth chart Clemson released Monday afternoon.

Yet, with the ball, there is a blatant contrast between Feaster and Fuller. Feaster possesses a burst that propels him through the second level. He can grind through the line on inside runs and sprint away from pursuit on the perimeter. He seemingly can generate an additional four yards on each touch.

Fuller is not flashy but he is effective and consistent. If the play is designed to gain six yards, Fuller will gain those six yards. There certainly is value in that stability. Fuller deserves touches, but flipping the lead to feature Feaster’s dynamism could alleviate the load on quarterback Kelly Bryant.

No offense survives by relying on microwave drives, but that chunk-play threat discourages defenses from fleeing the box to overload pass coverage.

Feaster is not the only sprinter on the committee. Freshman Travis Etienne leads the Tigers with 179 rushing yards on merely 14 carries, an average of 12.8 yards per touch.

Etienne has logged his snaps long after victories have been sealed. He did not play against Auburn, but he dazzled on an 81-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Louisville on Saturday night.

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) returns a kick against Louisville during the 1st quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Louisville's Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

The Feaster-Etienne combination will be exceptionally explosive…eventually.

Clemson cannot simplify its offense to accommodate its inexperienced backs. Etienne must also master pass protection to earn more carries. Feaster must steadily show more awareness and alertness as a blocker.

If he can maintain the coaching staff's trust, Feaster can provide a steady spark in the offense. All four backs deserve a seat at the table. They all deserve a healthy share on their plates. Yet, Feaster can handle a larger portion.