CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Swinney ready to start back again with his 2014 Clemson team.
Swinney ready to start back again with his 2014 Clemson team.

Clemson Opens Spring Practice


by -

Clemson, SC—Clemson opened had its first of 15 spring practices on Wednesday on the practices fields behind the Tigers Indoor Facility. There were some old faces and new ones at practice as Dabo Swinney prepares for his sixth full season as Clemson Head Coach.

Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

View Full Profile
, Rod McDowell, Rodney Williams and C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL

View Full Profile
were among the prominent names in Clemson football history in attendance, but they are no longer active players. The 2014 Tigers must replace Boyd, a 3800-yard passer, McDowell, a 1000-yard rusher, and Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

View Full Profile
, a 1400-yard receiver.

There are three quarterbacks battling for Boyd’s important quarterback position, none of whom have started a college game. Senior Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH

View Full Profile
, sophomore Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY

View Full Profile
and freshman Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 190
Gainesville, GA

View Full Profile
all got a lot of work in the two-hour and 15-minute workout in perfect football weather.

"We had good energy out there today,” said Swinney. “We have the makings of a good team, but we are a long way from that right now. It's just the first day and you have to start somewhere. Now we have something to take back to the film room and something to evaluate. It was a good start for a lot of these guys.”

Swinney talked about the competition at quarterback, which could go on for a while. There are 15 spring practices and 29 fall practices before the August 30 opener at Georgia.

"It is exciting to turn the page and get on with this quarterback competition that we have in front of us. They could separate themselves and if they don't then we will let them compete. It could go all the way in to the start of the season, but that is all to be determined. You can't win the job in one practice and you can't lose the job in one practice. We have a long way to go.”

The day started with the team gathering at the Tombstone Graveyard outside the practice fields. After a short speech by Swinney about last season and the win over Ohio State in the Discover Orange Bowl, 2013 seniors Tajh Boyd, Rod McDowell, Quandon ChristianQuandon Christian
Linebacker (2009 - 2013)
#34 6-2, 225
Lake View, SC

View Full Profile
, Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
Punter / Kicker (2009 - 2013)
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC

View Full Profile
and Philip Fajgenbaum unveiled the new tombstone to commemorate the win over the seventh-ranked Buckeyes.

A win over a top 10 team in a bowl game is honored with a tombstone at the area. It is the second straight year Clemson has done it, as the Tigers ended the 2012 season with a win over seventh-ranked LSU.

Seven players missed practice on Wednesday due to injury, and six of them will be held out of contact all spring. Wide receiver Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC

View Full Profile
, safety Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Defensive Back
#11 6-0, 190
Tallahassee, FL

View Full Profile
, and linebacker Kellen JonesKellen Jones
RS Jr. Linebacker
#52 6-1, 215
Houston, TX

View Full Profile
are both recovering from torn ACL injuries. Defensive back Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins
RS Sr. Cornerback
#14 5-10, 180
Roswell, GA

View Full Profile
and linebacker Marcus BullardMarcus Bullard
RS Jr. Linebacker
#57 6-3, 205
Columbia, SC

View Full Profile
are out while recovering from shoulder surgery. Running back Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA

View Full Profile
is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Offensive lineman Oliver JonesOliver Jones
RS So. Offensive Tackle
#65 6-5, 325
Ninety Six, SC

View Full Profile
is recovering from a broken ankle and hopes to return to practice after Spring Break.

Six true freshmen who entered Clemson in January made their debut in a Clemson uniform for a practice. The list includes Watson, a record setting quarterback from Gainesville, GA. Watson was wearing number-four during practice, a number that has been retired in honor of former Clemson All-American Steve Fuller.

Swinney said after practice that Watson, with Fuller’s permission, will wear number-four this season. His jersey will also include a logo with “Steve Fuller #4” on it. “I talked with Steve about this last May when we played golf together at the Chick-fil-A Tournament.

“He was on board with it. The logo will bring attention to Steve’s great career. We are talking about someone who was a first-team Academic All-American and a third-team AP All-American on the field. What a standard he set.”

The other newcomers included wide receiver Demarre KittDemarre Kitt
Fr. Wide Receiver
#8 6-1, 195
Tyrone, GA

View Full Profile
(#8), wide receiver Kyrin PriesterKyrin Priester
Fr. Wide Receiver
#17 6-2, 190
Lilburn, GA

View Full Profile
(#17), wide receiver Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 180
Tarpon Springs, FL

View Full Profile
(#3), Tight end/H back Kurt Fleming (#40) and linebacker Chris RegisterChris Register
Fr. Outside Linebacker
#45 6-4, 210
Greensboro, NC

View Full Profile
(#45). Register comes to Clemson from Dudley High School in Greensboro, the same school that produced Clemson All-American Jeff Davis. Davis also wore number-45.

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   
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!