Defensive Observations |
Defensive Observations
We got a little surprise yesterday when Dabo Swinney Defensive Tackles Remember this is the first day. Everyone looks good the first day, and everyone looks good in shorts. This is a good looking group. Carlos Watkins DJ Reader looks to be in better shape than we have ever seen him. He moves well at his new weight. Perhaps the most impressive player I saw the entire day was Christian Wilkins If it not for Wilkins, Albert Huggins Scott Pagano Defensive End It's pretty easy to see Shaq Lawson Kevin Dodd Austin Bryant Linebacker Linebackers are just waiting for pads before they make their impact, but this group has a bunch of options. BJ Goodson and Ben Boulware The two biggest surprises here were Travis Blanks Secondary This was the best looking unit on defense. There are a lot of options here. Jayron Kearse It's easy to see Mackensie Alexander Cordrea Tankersly was the starting corner opposite of Alexander. He is a bigger option at the boundary corner. Ryan Carter I was surprised to see Korrin Wiggins One player that caught my eye was Vann Smith. He is physical and simply makes plays. Finally, Denzel Johnson Prayer List The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list. Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile announced he was going to let the media in for the full first few practices. Tomorrow we will write about the observations we made on offense, but today I wanted to share my thoughts on the defensive players.Carlos Watkins
RS Jr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 295
Mooresboro, NC
View Full Profile batted down a couple of balls and had an interception on one of the most athletic plays of the day. He looks like he has returned to 100%.Christian Wilkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#42 6-5, 305
Longmeadow, CT
View Full Profile. I started watching him in stretching period, and he was obviously as flexible as any player on defense. He moves like a defensive end. Fast twitch. Very athletic. This is just a different kind of player than Clemson has had here in some time.Albert Huggins
Fr. Defensive Line
#67 6-3, 280
Orangeburg, SC
View Full Profile might have been the story. He looks much bigger and stronger than the last time we saw him. Huggins also looked quick and athletic moving around in agility drills.Scott Pagano
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-3, 295
Honolulu, HI
View Full Profile, Rod Byers, Jabril RobinsonJabril Robinson
RS Fr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-3, 255
Leland, NC
View Full Profile, and Sterling JohnsonSterling Johnson
Fr. Defensive Line
#93 6-5, 275
Clayton, NC
View Full Profile moved around pretty well. I was shocked how big Gage CervenkaGage Cervenka
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#95 6-3, 275
Greenwood, SC
View Full Profile has gotten.Shaq Lawson
Jr. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile is the most complete defensive end. He looks like his poised for a big year. Lawson just looks like the leader of this unit.Kevin Dodd
RS Jr. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC
View Full Profile is a great looking physical specimen, but to me the biggest surprises came in a red-shirt freshman and two true freshmen. Richard YearginRichard Yeargin
RS Fr. Defensive End
#49 6-4, 225
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
View Full Profile has gained good weight. When he got here he looked like a linebacker, now he looks like a defensive end.Austin Bryant
Fr. Defensive End
#91 6-4, 250
Pavo, GA
View Full Profile and Clelin FerrellClelin Ferrell
Fr. Defensive End
#99 6-5, 220
Richmond, VA
View Full Profile are great looking freshmen. Both missed time last year but showed no signs of their injuries. They don't look like 18-year old freshmen. Bryant is 268 and Ferrell is 257. I can see both players avoiding a red-shirt season.Ben Boulware
Jr. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-0, 235
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile are both over 240 pounds and moved pretty well.Travis Blanks
Safety (2012 - 2015)
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile and Dorian O'DanielDorian O'Daniel
RS So. Linebacker
#6 6-2, 215
Olney, MD
View Full Profile. Blanks worked with the first-team defense and showed no knee issues. O'Daniel looks like he is ready to take the next step. He is quick off of the edge on the blitz and also plays in space very well.Jayron Kearse
Jr. Safety
#1 6-4, 210
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile is a beast. Maybe it's his new number (1) and his 6-4, 224-pound frame.Mackensie Alexander
RS So. Cornerback
#2 5-10, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile is a difference maker as well. His quickness and ability to change directions are off of the charts.Ryan Carter
RS So. Cornerback
#31 5-9, 180
Grayson, GA
View Full Profile is physical, but lacks ideal size. Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
RS So. Cornerback
#21 5-11, 180
Hallandale, FL
View Full Profile and Marcus Edmonds are skilled but still are not as physical as Tankersly. Freshman Mark FieldsMark Fields
Fr. Cornerback
#24 5-10, 185
Cornelius, NC
View Full Profile is a very good looking corner who jumps off of the charts.Korrin Wiggins
Jr. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 195
Durham, NC
View Full Profile working more at safety as opposed to SAM/Nickel. Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
Jr. Defensive Back
#18 6-0, 200
Orangeburg, SC
View Full Profile and TJ Green worked at the safety opposite of Kearse.Denzel Johnson
RS Fr. Cornerback
#14 6-2, 190
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile looked pretty natural at corner. He looks like he will stay on this side of the football.The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
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Brandon Thompson
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, Jonathan and Jacki 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, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, 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, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Jay Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Zach and Griffin Johnson, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Earl Gilstrap, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile, Robert Summerville, Wendell Harrington, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert SmithRobert Smith
Safety (2011 - 2014)
#27 5-11, 215
St. George, SC
View Full Profile, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Donna Springs, Elizabeth Bruner, Bobbi Simpson, Hammond Family, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.

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