CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Wednesday night practice update

Wednesday night practice update


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – How much have things changed for the Clemson program the last few seasons? All you have to do is look at who is playing scout team quarterback for certain teams.

Two years ago, Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA

View Full Profile
played the part of Georgia Tech’s quarterbacks during preparation for the Yellow Jackets, and now is being mentioned as a possible first round draft choice at defensive end. This time around, it’s true freshman defensive back Marcus EdmondMarcus Edmond
Fr. Defensive Back
#29 6-1, 180
Hopkins, SC

View Full Profile
, who played some quarterback in high school.

“He is. Not a very good thrower,” Swinney laughed about Edmond. “That's why he is a cornerback and not a quarterback. He's doing a good job of giving us a good look. You know just a couple of years ago I had Vic Beasley out there playing quarterback. Now, he was something special. Marcus has done a good job of giving us a good look."

Swinney said that he used to think that Beasley would have made a good running back.

“We used him as a running back some when he wasn't getting a lot of reps. I used to sit there and say, 'Man, this guy can be something special. If we could ever get him a home, he is going to be a good player.’”

Other notes

On trademarking his name

"We trademarked my name about five years ago. That's one of the things my agent did when I first got hired. It's when we started our All-In Foundation They trademarked the All-In Team Foundation and my name when they did all of that stuff. It wasn’t very big news, but I guess four or five years later it is catching on. It's one of those things that when I got the job my agent did that when we were gathering all the paperwork for the foundation they trademarked my name. I don't really know what all that means to be honest with you."

The emergence of Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC

View Full Profile

"Mike's having a great year for a freshman. I think he's emerging as a great player in this offense. He's done a lot of good things this year. He had a really good game this past week. He's a physical guy, very smart and catches on quickly. I'm excited about Mike Williams. He's going to be a great player for us in the next few years."

On how much work the team does this week

"The first bye week was early in the season. We were really putting the hammer down full speed ahead. That was a different deal. This is going into our 10th game. They always have Sunday off. We had meetings Monday and yesterday we had a tracking practice with no contact. It's the first time they've gone three days without any hitting in a long time. Today we went full pads and actually did some live work at the end. The last couple of periods were live. Today was a physical day and we needed that. We weren't on the field quite as long as we were earlier in the season. We got a lot done yesterday, a lot done today and tomorrow is another big day for us. Friday is a non-practice today. It'll be a lot of meetings for our staff, community service in the afternoon and Saturday will be like a game week. We'll have another full week next week. This has been some priceless time this week."

On how different it is to prepare for Tech

“Totally different. Totally. You don't see it every week, so we're coaching things a lot differently out there. But we play them every year. It's a rivalry. The first couple of years it was really a challenge. We have a bunch of guys who have played against them, so they know how they have to practice."

Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA

View Full Profile
update

“He's just rehabbing. He had the back surgery. He had a disc they had to clean up. That went great. He feels good. He also had a ligament thing on his ankle that he's just been playing with. We just kind of cleaned that up to get that out of the way while he's rehabbing. He's doing great. I'm telling you. He is a phenomenal young man. I hate that he got hurt because I think he would have been a special player this year. But we've got him for four more years. I don't have any doubt that if he's healthy, he's going to show up (on film) pretty quick."

Injury update

“Going into game 10 we have a lot of guys beat up but only a couple of guys out of practice. [Ronnie] Geohaghan is still coming back. Same thing with C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS So. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC

View Full Profile
, but I think both of those guys will be back pretty soon. Everybody else is practicing and getting after it. Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS Jr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA

View Full Profile
is out there practicing. I wouldn't say he's 100-percent, but he's in the process of working his way back to that. He's in a green jersey. We're not letting him have contact. Excited to get him back going.”

On MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL

View Full Profile

“He's a lot further along. His surgery was four weeks ago. He's actually back in practice now. He's doing all the individual work and he's also working on the scout team on defense. He will continue to do that.”

Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS Jr. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC

View Full Profile

“He’s been one of the best players on our team, one of the most consistent guys we have had really all year. He'd be one of our top four or five guys all year. Really proud of the season he's had."

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

View Full Profile

“Great young player. He's growing up. Things are starting to slow down. He's figuring things out. That natural talent and athleticism is starting to kick in."

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to David Hood: Email | Comment
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Post your comments!