News and notes from Monday's practice

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Mar 25 20:31:50 GMT-04:00 2013

CLEMSON – You know you’re doing something right when other teams and programs want to visit, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile told the media Monday that coaches from Ohio St. and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons have been in Clemson this spring to take a look at things.

Also on hand Monday were seven high school coaches from the state of Texas, and they spent time with offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile following practice, and Morris was in full teacher mode, using his hands to explain routes and diagramming plays.

Swinney said that he and his staff – after visiting Nevada last spring – visited Arizona St. recently, and Ohio St. sent offensive coordinator Tom Herman and wide receiver coach Zach Smith to Clemson to observe. The Atlanta Falcons also had their defensive staff spend a day in Clemson.

"[The Falcons] are trying to learn more about what we do and how we defend what we do,” Swinney told the media. “Yet, we were able to take a lot from them as well. I’d be surprised if there's an NFL team that hasn’t gone and spent time with college coaches this offseason."

Other notes

*Dabo said that defensive back Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS So. Defensive Back
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile was back at practice Monday after missing several spring practices for what Swinney has called focus issues. Swinney said Peters was in shorts Monday and will be in shorts again Tuesday, and then will be back at practice in full pads on Wednesday.

“He has done a good job and it is good to have him back,” Swinney said.

Swinney said that quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile threw another interception during Monday’s practice, but showed his improved maturity by moving on to the next play.

“He threw a pick today and just went on to the next play,” Swinney said. “This is a guy that's won a bunch of ball games," Dabo said. "I texted him when he came back [announcing he would return to school] and I said, 'Rodney Williams is the all-time winningest quarterback here. He won 32 games. You've won 21. Welcome back, let's go to work.'

"He wants to be successful. He wants to lead. He's a little bit of a perfectionist at that position, which is okay. He's learned to handle that. He's always been a perfectionist, but he used to really [not] handle criticism very well, not handle bad plays very well. I think those are areas that he's handled tremendously."

*I spoke with one source close to the program Monday, and he said that wide receivers Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile and Germone HopperGermone Hopper
Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 175
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile have been impressive so far in camp. I was told that Peake has made great strides in what should be his first year as a starter.

I asked about the move of Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile to the outside, allowing more touches for Hopper, and I was told that there is no one on the team that can cover Hopper 1-on-1 right now.

*I also heard good things about Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Fr. Tight End
#88 6-4, 260
Hope Mills, NC
View Full Profile following the practice. The North Carolina native has been working out at right tackle after making the move from tight end last fall. I was told that some on the staff believe that Mac Lain has the talent to play offensive line on the next level, and could make a serious push for playing time this season.

Swinney said he is continuing to preach consistency with a team that he calls sophomore and junior dominated.

“We are not to the point yet where everybody is going to say, ‘Clemson, that is a top three or four team.’ We are hoping to get there. The only way we are going to get there is to be consistent. We told them that last year, and they took a step forward. We competed consistently on a high level. That is what we are trying to do here. If you can be a consistent top 10 or top 15 team, then you can be elite. These guys get that.”

Swinney said they are trying to hold the players accountable for 100 percent of their actions.

“Everything counts, so there is not a lot of room for error. Everything counts. It is being on time to class. It is your academic commitment. It’s what you are doing when you are in your apartment and no one is looking. It’s what you eat. Everything counts. “

*Swinney said that starting right guard Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley
RS Jr. Offensive Guard
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC
View Full Profile is emerging as a leader on the offensive line.