Almost halfway: Spring practice thoughts |
The Clemson football team isn’t technically at the halfway point of spring practice after just six practice sessions, but this week’s interruption for spring break gives us a good opportunity to take a look at some of the things we’ve heard and seen to this point.
This camp has been unusual in many respects – the quarterback battle isn’t for a starting spot, there are freshmen trying to earn a spot that we can’t talk to and things have been relatively quiet on the injury front. And then there’s head coach
Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney This spring has seen a different side to Swinney, and he’s been on an even keel since the beginning of camp. I like to think of it as a quiet kind of confidence, and when he was asked the other night how he would describe the first six sessions, he just smiled and said, “This team is fun to coach.” Following practice earlier this week, two former Tigers who are currently on NFL rosters were standing just inside the indoor practice facility. I walked up and exchanged the usual greetings, then asked them what they thought about this team after watching the early practices. One of them smiled from ear to ear and said, “These freshmen are like we were when we were juniors. They get it. This team has the talent to make a run at the college football playoff if 4 (
Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson The young quarterbacks We’ve heard the usual reviews out of the quarterback duel, and Swinney and offensive coordinator
Tony ElliottTony Elliott The reviews on Bryant and Israel have been about what we expected, and what I saw during our limited observation time told me that Bryant has all the physical tools to be the guy. But Israel just has a way of catching your eye, and his arm strength was better than what I saw in camp last year and he’s accurate on the short to medium throws. Defensive ends I’m not really too worried about the defensive tackle spot
D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader What I worry about is the pass rush – Lawson and Dodd are both better against the run, and Dodd told us the other night that he likes playing the strongside end spot because he likes to “set the edge” and help stop the run. But Lawson is also really good against the run, and I wondered where the “quick twitch” pass rusher would come from. Lawson told us he is at 270 pounds – down from 280 – and has three solid pass moves that he hopes will turn him into a better pass rusher. Also, both Swinney and defensive coordinator
Brent VenablesBrent Venables We’ve been told that veteran
Martin AikenMartin Aiken Another possibility for a move to defensive end is linebacker
Chris RegisterChris Register Offensive linemen If the season started today, I have every reason to think that the starting five on the line would be
Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle Freshmen
Mitch HyattMitch Hyatt Hyatt was limited last week and wore a yellow jersey, but should be back full strength when the team starts back a week from now.
Head Coach
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, who usually has the full range of emotions during a camp session, from the low of outright anger and frustration to the high of making young players sound like a sure-fire first round NFL draft pick.
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA
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) stays healthy.”
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
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have been particularly complimentary of veteran
Nick SchuesslerNick Schuessler
RS Jr. Quarterback
#12 6-3, 195
Grayson, GA
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. But I purposely asked Swinney the other night if it would be better for all concerned if Schuessler were to just grab the job and let
Kelly BryantKelly Bryant
Fr. Quarterback
#2 6-4, 205
Calhoun Falls, SC
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and
Tucker IsraelTucker Israel
Fr. Quarterback
#10 5-11, 190
Orlando, FL
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redshirt, and he was adamant that the best player will play. That tells me this competition will last well into fall camp.
Defensive Tackle (2012 - 2015)
#48 6-2, 325
Greensboro, NC
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,
Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS Jr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 295
Mooresboro, NC
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and
Scott PaganoScott Pagano
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-3, 295
Honolulu, HI
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are a nice top three to have at that spot and Watkins and Reader have both started games. I was worried about defensive end, but it appears that
Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
RS Jr. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC
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came to camp focused and in shape and has been a bright light at the end spot opposite
Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
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.
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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have bragged about the emergence of
Ebenezer OgundekoEbenezer Ogundeko
RS So. Defensive End
#1 6-3, 250
Brooklyn, NY
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. Venables said that Ogundeko has been more consistent, and that freshman
Richard YearginRichard Yeargin
RS Fr. Defensive End
#49 6-4, 225
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
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has also emerged as a viable option.
RS Jr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Smoaks, SC
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“is a guy” but isn’t quite where he needs to be. Venables was asked about freshman
Albert HugginsAlbert Huggins
Fr. Defensive Line
#67 6-3, 280
Orangeburg, SC
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, and Venables replied that Huggins “is an end right now.” Does that mean he will move to tackle? It seems to leave the option open, but Venables quickly reminded everybody that Huggins has always played defensive end and is more comfortable at that spot.
RS Fr. Outside Linebacker
#45 6-2, 245
Browns Summit, NC
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, and I asked Venables if Register could move to the defensive line at some point. His response was, “I don’t know.”
Offensive Tackle (2012 - 2015)
#79 6-7, 290
Brooklyn, NY
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at left tackle,
Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#78 6-4, 305
Hope Mills, NC
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at left guard,
Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 285
Simpsonville, SC
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at center,
Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS So. Offensive Guard
#55 6-2, 330
Marston, NC
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at right guard and
Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 290
Lake Waccamaw, NC
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at right tackle.
Fr. Offensive Line
#75 6-6, 270
Sugar Hill, GA
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,
Jake FruhmorgenJake Fruhmorgen
Fr. Offensive Line
#63 6-5, 285
Tampa, FL
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,
Zach GiellaZach Giella
Fr. Offensive Line
#77 6-5, 275
Augusta, GA
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and
Noah GreenNoah Green
Fr. Offensive Line
#71 6-5, 275
Boiling Springs, SC
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have impressed, but it’s still too early to say which of the group will play next season. However, you have to like the fact that all of them have been a little chippy at practice, and Hyatt and Fruhmorgen even got involved in a scuffle with some older players early in camp.
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