After seeing the game from the other side of the ball for a year, Michael Wade believes he'll be a better quarterback when spring drills begin next week.

Wade, a redshirt sophomore, is one of four Clemson University football players to switch positions, returning to quarterback from safety.

Junior Sadat Chambers goes back to safety from running back; Rendrick Taylor moves from receiver to inside linebacker, and Jock McKissic from defensive tackle to offensive tackle.

Each move addresses areas where the Tigers will be thin on experience entering coach Tommy Bowden's 10th season.

With Tribble Reese opting to forgo his final season of eligibility, Wade will run with the third team behind returning starter Cullen Harper and backup Willy Korn.

Clemson recruited two quarterbacks with the incoming freshman class. Kyle Parker of Jacksonville, Fla., enrolled in January to play baseball. Jon Richt of Athens, Ga., will join them this summer.

Wade said he was told of the move shortly before the start of mat drills, football's winter conditioning program.

"I've always had the attitude (that) I'm just here to help the team anyway I can," Wade said. "They said they needed some depth at quarterback, but I'll do anything."

Wade, the holder on place-kicks, said he hopes to have additional duties on special teams that could feed the hunger for contact he developed on defense.

"I definitely see things a lot differently," he said. "Just watching film the past couple of weeks, I better understand what people are trying to do. I recognize coverages a lot faster."

Injuries have cost Taylor 10 games his first three seasons, but he has caught 46 passes for 480 yards. He'll step into the mix to replace Nick Watkins and Antonio Clay. Watkins completed his eligibility, and Clay withdrew from school after last season.

Blue-chip prospects Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington will provide depth behind starters James Davis and C.J. Spiller, affording Chambers' move. He had 10 tackles in 11 games as a freshman and rushed for 161 yards on 28 carries last season, including a 63-yard touchdown against Central Michigan.

The Tigers must replace both starting offensive tackles, and while there are several possibilities among the redshirt freshmen, McKissic will provide game experience. He has played 911 snaps over 37 games.

Spring practice begins March 8. The Spring Game is April 12 in Clemson Memorial Stadium.

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