CLEMSON FOOTBALL

News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
Sammy Watkins continues to shine in Clemson practices

News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage


by - Senior Writer -

AUDIO: Dabo Swinney after practice audio

AUDIO: Chad Morris after practice audio

CLEMSON – Quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd

Quarterback

#10 6-1, 230

Hampton, VA

View Full Profile continued his strong fall camp on Wednesday, turning in another strong effort during a situational scrimmage held in Death Valley.

Clemson Sports Information Director Tim Bourret said he arrived at the scrimmage a little late, but he had Boyd at 10-for-15 for 186 yards and a couple of touchdown tosses in what Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said was one of the best practices he has seen out of the Tiger offense in his entire time at Clemson.

“Offensively it was really good. It was probably as clean and as crisp and as well-executed that I've seen, certainly since I've been at Clemson,” Swinney said. “I am very, very impressed with what we did on offense today. Offensively focused. Very few penalties. It was the second scrimmage in a row for Tajh with no turnovers. Threw and caught the ball very well. The backs ran well. It was just a very productive day offensively.”

Swinney was quick to point out however, that if the offense has a good day, then that means the defense struggled.

"That usually means things weren't very good defensively and that was the case,” he said. “We had a few guys out today. Brandon [Thompson] couldn't go today. Rennie [Moore] didn't go today. Breeland was out. Quandon [Christian] was out. Some of those veteran guys weren’t in there. What was disappointing is that some of our depth didn't step up. That is probably one of our biggest challenges right now – finding quality depth.”

Swinney said he was particularly impressed with how Boyd has handled himself this fall.

“He’s doing a great job of taking care of the ball and managing the game,” he said.

Defensive tackle Rennie MooreRennie Moore

Defensive Tackle

#94 6-4, 270

Saint Marys, GA

View Full Profile was held out of practice because of his involvement in an altercation at Tuesday’s practice, but Swinney said he expects the redshirt senior back for Wednesday evening’s practice.

“There are consequences for your actions,” Swinney said. “It was just a little discipline for him today. He’ll be back tonight. He’s handled it well. It’s just a matter of learning from it, and he will.”

Morris shared a laugh with reporters when he was asked if he had a good idea of which true freshmen will play this fall. “Sure, I have an idea, but I am not going to share that with you, if that’s ok,” Morris joked. But there will be a few that'll get in this year, the ones we've been mentioning, the ones who have made plays. You can't keep playmakers on the sidelines."

Morris also continues to rave about freshman wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins

Wide Receiver

#7 6-2, 200

Fort Myers, FL

View Full Profile , saying the Florida native is the best wide receiver he has at creating separation from defenders.

“Well, you have to look at Sammy,” Morris said. “He creates great separation. He's very explosive. He'd be one of the top ones I'd mention. Bryce McNealBryce McNeal

Wide Receiver

#11 6-1, 180

Minneapolis, MN

View Full Profile is another one."

Morris said he was pleased with the way the scrimmage went.

"We made vast improvements from Saturday,” he said. “We made major strides. We're not where we need to be yet, but we're taking big steps right now."

Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro

Punter / Kicker

#39 6-2, 205

Greenville, SC

View Full Profile appears to be the leader at placekicker. Swinney said he had another good scrimmage on Wednesday. “Catman continues to be money,” Swinney said.

Clemson running back Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington

Running Back

#23 5-10, 190

Moncks Corner, SC

View Full Profile said he has been in contact with his cousin – Bruce Ellington – who is the point guard on South Carolina’s basketball team and is working at running back on the Gamecock football team. “I am proud of him,” Ellington said. “I told him if he wanted to go out and play football, I would support him.”

Clemson center Dalton Freeman said it was nice to have a bounce back practice after the bad outing they had on Tuesday.

“We came out and had a really good practice. It was probably our best practice of the year,” the All-ACC candidate said. “Everybody was very focused. It was probably the most focused I have seen out of us – throwing and catching and we did a great job up front.”

Tight end Brandon Ford, who for the second straight scrimmage caught a touchdown pass.

“Everybody picked it up today and it seemed everyone was more focused,” Ford said. “We came together as an offense in the locker room and said ‘We have to pick it up today.’

“We knew we had to bring it. We had to do better than what we did last night and even on Saturday.”

Bashaud Breeland missed the practice with a neck strain, while Brandon Thompson was out after a hard hit to the head on Tuesday. Quandon Christian has a sprained ankle and Mike Bellamy a shoulder injury. None of the injuries are considered serious.

The Tigers will practice tonight and then again at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

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Subject (Replies: 29) Author
spacer News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
Crump®
spacer Re: News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
clemson_this
spacer We should do a poll on who's going to redshirt
TigerHawk76®
spacer Has anyone SEEN any Stats for the 2nd....
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Real impressed with Watkins and the way
ClemsonMike830
spacer After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deleted
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deroberts
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deleted
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deroberts
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deleted
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deroberts
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
TigerJMD
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
tjcleme
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
deleted
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
orangeman
spacer I'm thinking he's gonna redshirt.***
leftneck
spacer Re: I'm thinking he's gonna redshirt.***
deroberts
spacer Re: After watching it, I'm starting to get concerned...
pudgedog95®
spacer Jaron is one of best we have at YAC
David78®
spacer So is Bruce Ellington Andre's cousin or brother???***
ArmyRanger28®
spacer Cousin***
boricuatiger
spacer Re: News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
rileym
spacer Players get assessed penalties for B I J's during practice
clmsntgr1
spacer Re: Players get assessed penalties for B I J's during practice
CUalum79ALLn65
spacer Re: News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
94TigerRG
spacer I thought Sammy was #7. Did he change #s?***
boricuatiger
spacer He is now #2 !!!!
YBEACH
spacer If i never hear dabo say "catman" again, it'll be too soon
AllTimeClemson
spacer Re: News and notes from Wednesday's scrimmage
Imbleedinorange