Practice Observations

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Thu Aug 07 10:04:23 GMT-04:00 2014

Practice Observations

Yesterday I got a chance to go to practice for the second time in six days, and even though both were limited I did come away with several observations.

This is another big, physical football team. Over the past two seasons Clemson has stood toe to toe with physical teams like LSU and Ohio State and dominated. This team looks a lot like the past two teams. This team lacks big time, explosive playmakers on offense but both sides of the ball feature depth in the big body department.

Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-7, 285
Brooklyn, NY
View Full Profile went down with an ankle injury during PAW drills but it does not appear to be serious. Tight end Stanton SeckingerStanton Seckinger
RS Jr. Tight End
#81 6-4, 241
Isle of Palms, SC
View Full Profile 's ankle injury is more serious than it first appeared. Seckinger could be out three to four weeks. Another Tiger who missed practice was nickel back Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile who had some inflammation in his knee but it is not serious.

When Battle went down, Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 340
Chester, SC
View Full Profile moved to left tackle and Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS Fr. Offensive Guard
#55 6-2, 322
Marston, NC
View Full Profile moved into Davis' guard spot. In fact, Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile said after practice that the entire line played musical chairs with several players playing multiple positions throughout practice.

I was impressed with all of the running backs yesterday. It is hard to see a lot of separation between any of the backs in my opinion but my favorite at this point might be CJ Davidson. I think Davidson may be the most athletic and fastest of the group. Zack Brooks looks bigger and catches the ball as well or better than the rest of the backs. Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile runs very hard and has some wiggle. I thought both freshmen, Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile and CJ Fuller, ran hard in PAW drills.

The offensive line got the best of the defense for most of the PAW drill which was somewhat surprising. This was just one day and one drill but the offense more than held their own against a highly thought of defense.

In individual drills I was impressed with the wide receiver crew, including Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC
View Full Profile who looks like a big target this season. Williams has a chance to help this offense in several ways.

The freshmen wide outs look good at times and like freshmen at other times. Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile has a good burst and nice change of direction. Trevion ThompsonTrevion Thompson
Fr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-3, 191
Durham, NC
View Full Profile is a bigger than I thought he was going to be.

The tight end group of Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile , Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Sr. Tight End
#86 6-6, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile , Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS So. Tight End
#89 6-3, 248
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile and Milan RichardMilan Richard
Fr. Tight End
#80 6-3, 243
Savannah, GA
View Full Profile are physically impressive. I can see this group playing a major role in the offense this season.

The one player that caught my eye on defense was MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile . He just looks like a corner back. Alexander has gotten a little bigger and shows tremendous athleticism. He also looks like a natural punt returner.

Finally, I spent most of the two days watching Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile . On the day I went the Tigers were in shorts I meant to spend a lot of time watching him and his development. Today I went with the idea of watching other positions but I just keep coming back to watch Watson spin it. This is a great looking prospect. He just has an air about him. He looks confident.

Watson has a terrific arm with excellent accuracy. His body looks like a guy that is going to be able to escape the pocket and hurt defenses with his feet as well. But mainly he looks like a guy that just has it. With over 100 players out there, Watson is a guy that observers just can't take their eyes off. I don't have idea where he is in picking up the offense but physically he looks like he has all of the tools to be a great one very soon. I think he plays this season and plays a big role.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile , Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Mark Whiten, Richard Bagnal, Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile and family, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Tommy "Red" Harper, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Jamey Glover, Kaki Harmon, Ron Moore and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.