CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
Kearse had this interception and a forced fumble at Virginia

Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart


by - Senior Writer -

Jayron Kearse Jayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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started just three games last season, but he put up some big numbers and if the Clemson defense is going to be as good as advertised in 2014, Kearse will be a big reason.

In the fourth in our series of “Ten To Watch” this season, TigerNet takes a look at the sophomore out of Fort Myers (FL) South Fort Myers.

Kearse had 55 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a team-tying-high four interceptions for 62 yards, and one caused fumble in 444 snaps over 12 games (three starts). Despite the limited snaps, Kearse tied for fifth in the ACC in interceptions.

Replacing an injured Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Defensive Back
#11 6-0, 190
Tallahassee, FL

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at the safety spot late in the season, Kearse saved some of his best work for last – he had three tackles, a 37-yard interception return, and a caused fumble in 27 snaps at Virginia on Nov. 2 and was named team co-defensive player-of-the-game ; he had seven tackles in 57 snaps against The Citadel on Nov. 23; he had 10 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in playing all 81 snaps at #9 South Carolina on Nov. 30; had nine tackles and a key interception in the third quarter in 72 snaps against #6 Ohio State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3rd.

With Blanks moving back to the Nickel/SAM spot he thrived in during his freshman season, Kearse will battle Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 180
Orangeburg, SC

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for the right to start opposite Robert SmithRobert Smith
Sr. Safety
#27 5-10, 210
St. George, SC

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at one of the safety spots.

What sets Kearse apart from other members of the secondary, not including his height and freakish athletic skills? Film study.

Following Clemson’s 51-14 loss to Florida St. last season, Kearse rounded up Johnson and Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
RS Fr. Cornerback
#21 6-1, 170
Hollywood, FL

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, and the three sat at the Clemson IHOP for more than a few hours, using salt and pepper shakers, plates and cups to diagram plays and diagram what went wrong.

“I just know what I have to do to have an edge over my competition,” Kearse told TigerNet later. “That night, we lost and I just wanted to go through it with the guys and talk about what went wrong. We looked at what we did and what we could have done better, and why things happened like they did and how we can keep that from happening again. We just talked about what we saw in the game, what we could do better and how we can’t let it happen again. “

Kearse said that film study is what separates the good players from the great ones.

“You know in your mind what you have to do, and you do that so you can come out in your next game and play better than you did in your previous game,” he said. “That next game, you can come out and play stronger and harder and faster than you did in that last game.

“It has helped, because I am looking at things differently. Looking at film and learning about the quarterback’s tendencies and the opponent’s tendencies, that gives me an edge over my competitors. We watch a lot of film with Coach V (defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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), but it’s about watching film when we have free time and when we aren’t with Coach V.”

Kearse said that his big game against Virginia – when he forced a fumble and had an interception – came about because of his extra film study.

“I went back and watched all of his games and all of the interceptions he had thrown. I saw that he had a tendency to overthrow his receivers,” Kearse said. “I could tell that all I had to do was get back deep and wait on him to make a mistake and I would capitalize. Just do what you are supposed to do and do your job, and don’t try to do too much. “

*More on Jayron

Before Clemson: Rated as the #16 athlete in the nation by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ... #7 outside linebacker in the nation by Scout.com ... top-300 All-American by PrepStar ... area defensive player-of-the-year at South Fort Myers High School ... helped his team to an 11-2 record as a senior ... #15 athlete in the nation by MaxPreps ... had 528 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a senior; averaged 12.3 yards per carry ... averaged 18.9 yards per reception and scored five touchdowns ... as a safety, he had 87 tackles, three sacks, and an interception ... had 1,600 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior ... came to Clemson from the same high school as wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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... played in the Offense-Defense Bowl in Houston, TX ... coached by Grant Redhead at South Fort Myers High School ... recruited by Tony ElliottTony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
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.

Personal: His uncle, Jevon Kearse, was an All-America linebacker at Florida and an NFL All-Pro ... his cousin, Phillip Buchanon, was a defensive back at Miami (FL) and played in the NFL ... majoring in communication studies ... born Feb. 11, 1994.

*From his official Clemson bio.

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Subject (Replies: 28) Author
spacer New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
TigerNet News®
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Dugatiger®
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
oldschtiger70
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
Dugatiger®
spacer With experience and more film, the mistakes will lessen
TigerHawk76®
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deleted
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
tmac9wr
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
Marshall®
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
tmac9wr
spacer Blanks was head scratching last year
Drobins
spacer Re: Blanks was head scratching last year
tmac9wr
spacer Re: Blanks was head scratching last year
oldschtiger70
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
oldschtiger70
spacer He was boom or bust in a big way last year.
TigersAndCubs
spacer That's true for most true freshmen playing in the secondary
Drobins
spacer Re: That's true for most true freshmen playing in the secondary
oldschtiger70
spacer Re: He was boom or bust in a big way last year.
tbennett117
spacer Re: He was boom or bust in a big way last year.
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: He was boom or bust in a big way last year.
oldschtiger70
spacer A 4.4 lineman?
TigerHawk76®
spacer Re: A 4.4 lineman?
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: He was boom or bust in a big way last year.
logans heroes
spacer Prediction ...
apextiger
spacer Re: Prediction ...
lhaselden
spacer Re: Prediction ...
Purple_Panther
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
turfgrasstiger
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
lhaselden
spacer Re: New Story: Ten to Watch: Film study sets Jayron Kearse apart
Dugatiger®
spacer Him watching the OB film
sspassport®