By Heath Bradley.

By Heath Bradley

Freshman defensive tackle DJ Reader was one of only two true freshmen to appear for the Tigers on Saturday night. Both players were on the defensive side of the ball; with the other being defensive back Travis Blanks. Reader a backup defensive linemen, appeared in six snaps for the Tigers. The young defensive linemen made the most of his opportunity, recording two tackles in his six snaps.

Two tackles in six snaps is far from what Reader expected in his first game as a Tiger. Entering the 2012 season, Reader was not sure how much playing time he would see, especially in the opener in the Georgia Dome.

“Going into the game I did not think I was going to get too many snaps. I was trying to be prepared if I did. That was the mindset I had in the locker room. It went from there, I ended up getting a lot more snaps than I expected,” said Reader.

Playing in 2012 was a goal for Reader, who worked hard following an injury during his senior year to get back into shape for the season.

“It was kind of a goal for me. I didn’t expect to play this year, but it was a goal coming out of high school. It ended up happening because I worked hard in the summer,” said Reader.

Coach Swinney mentioned Reader multiple times in fall camp, but Reader was still not sure what impact he would have in the 2012 season. Heading into the opener, Reader was nervous, as you would expect from a player before their first game.

“It was kind of nerve-racking. Before the game I was nervous. When I first came out of the tunnel I was really nervous.  On the sideline, I was just waiting on an opportunity. When I first got in, it felt like everything came together and I did alright,” said Reader.

Reader used advice from his position coach Dan Brooks to calm himself down and get his mind focused for the task at hand.

“He told me to go out there and play like it is practice. He said it is the same game, go out there and do what you do at practice,” said Reader.

While meeting with the media, Reader also gave the reporters a short scouting report of what he feels he brings to the game.

“I feel I am a pretty good run stopper, I clog up holes pretty well. That is my game, I am a good gap control player,” said Reader.

Reader a two-sport star in high school has also began to work with the Clemson baseball team in preparations for the 2013 season. Reader, a pitcher and first baseman, has been working with pitching coach Dan Pepicelli on developing an off-speed pitch to go along with his fastball. A fastball that currently averages around 90-mph from the right handed Reader.