Greg Huegel injury update

'Greg the Leg' will be back on the gridiron next season

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Tue Oct 03 12:15:24 GMT-04:00 2017

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney spoke to reporters during his weekly press conference and shared that kicker Greg Huegel had successful surgery on his torn ACL and excited to see him back next football season.

"He's doing well. He's very fortunate because it wasn't a complete reconstruction of an ACL," Swinney explained. "I don't know what it is called or how to explain it but a lot of his ACL was still attached to the bone so that just kind of had to repair it. I don't want to get into all the technicals because I don't know. But I just know that they were really encouraged once they got in there. It was kind of a rare type of ACL injury in a very positive way. He's encouraged and got a strong faith and great work ethic. I'm just thankful he has got another year and this doesn't have to be the end of his career here."

Thankful that @GregHuegel is alive and well after a successful surgery pic.twitter.com/ijotX3Jg5b
— Andy Teasdall (@Andy_Teas) September 27, 2017

"It was a freak accident on the last play of practice on Wednesday," Swinney said in a team release on September 21. "We were in the two-minute drill, which we do at the end of every Wednesday practice. A defensive player rolled into him after his kick. He walked off the practice field and we hoped it was just a strain or a bruise, but the tests revealed a torn ACL.

"It is a big loss, we are talking about a two-time all-conference kicker. But, I have confidence in our kickers. Alex Spence will move up. He is in his fourth year with our program and has shown great improvement this year. He really had a good August camp."

The junior from Blythewood, S.C. is eighth in Clemson history in total points scored with 271 points. He was third among active ACC players in points per game entering the season and has been Clemson’s leading scorer each of the last two years.

Swinney also shared during the press conference that starting kicker Alex Spence has put endless hours of work in to have the opportunity to kick at Clemson.

"I love to see people get opportunity especially guys that have put the work in," Swinney said. "Alex has worked his tail off. I didn't know if he would ever play either, but I have a great appreciation for Alex Spence. I can't tell you how many times I've looked outside or rode by at night and the lights on in the indoor (practice facility) and there is just one guy out there kicking balls, going getting his balls, and coming back. He's just a guy that kept working even though he may have never gotten an opportunity. there is a lot to be said for that."

Swinney knows that preparation is key when your name is called.

"There is an old saying better to be prepared and without an opportunity than not be prepared with one," Swinney said. "I love when I see people continue to prepare and believe even though their circumstances don't really provide a lot of hope for them in that moment but you still have the belief. You still continue to prepare. I think Alex is the epitome of that. I love nothing more than seeing him go on and have a great season for us. He's got the talent. He can do it. Just got to keep plugging along. He will have some growing pains, but he is prepared."