By Will Vandervort.

Iron sharpens iron.

That’s what we here, especially on the football field. If there is a place on Clemson’s team right now where this phenomenon is occurring it’s when the Tigers’ experienced secondary goes head-to-head against the likes of wide receivers Artavis Scott and Mike Williams on the practice field.

“We are making them better and they are making us better,” Clemson safety Jayron Kearse said.

It depends on the day, but there are days when the secondary gets the best of the wide receivers and days when the wide receivers best them. Before the Tigers wrapped up the first half of spring practice prior to spring break the wide receivers went off on the secondary, while three days before the secondary shut them down.

The Tigers’ secondary is loaded with talent and perhaps future NFL stars. Kearse is the leader of this group as he takes over for the departed Robert Smith, whose eligibility ran out following the victory over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

Mackensie Alexander, who shut down just about any wide receiver he faced in 2014, returns as perhaps the best cover corner in the ACC.

“Having a guy that can shut down one side of the field helps your defense out,” Kearse said. “He is battling. There has been some nice competition with him and Mike Williams and he and Artavis are going at it.

“It has been a very competitive spring since we started from Day One.”

Safeties Jadar Johnson and T.J. Green, two guys that got significant playing time in critical situations last year, are also back as is nickel back Korrin Wiggins, who had two interceptions.

Clemson’s secondary led the nation in passing efficiency defense last fall as well as ranked second nationally in passing yards allowed at just 157.4 yards per game.

The wide receivers weren’t too bad either. Despite the up-and-down flows at quarterback last season Williams and Scott combined to make one of the ACC’s best combos. Scott led the Tigers with 76 catches for 965 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns, while Williams had the high mark for yards with 1,030 and six touchdowns on 57 receptions.

“We are battling,” Kearse said. “Our receivers are challenging us and we are challenging them. That’s how we make each other better.”

Clemson’s receiving corps also has Charone Peake fully healthy for the first time in two years, while Trevion Thompson is expected to emerge as a big-play threat this year after redshirting last season. Let’s not forget about Germone Hopper, who has all the tools to be every bit as good as Scott. Then of course there are tight ends Jordan Leggett, Milan Richard and Cannon Smith to deal with as well.

“By the time game-time comes, when we get to the fall season, it is easier for us because we know things that can tip the defense off and we know things that can tip the offense off because we are helping each other,” Kearse said.