By Will Vandervort.

When he has been asked about Jayron Kearse this spring, Brent Venables has had a surprised look on his face each time. It’s almost like he is worried about what his star safety has been telling people.

Some of that can be blamed on Kearse, however.

The Fort Myers, Fla. native likes to brag at times and sometimes even gives away a piece or two about strategy or positioning that Venables would rather not be reported to the masses.

But that’s Kearse. He is a free-spirited kind of guy that says and acts like he plays – a freelancer, who more times than not comes up with the big plays.

Following Wednesday’s scrimmage in Death Valley, Kearse told the media about his 30-yard interception return, adding another big play to what has been a very productive spring for the junior. It marked his second interception in two scrimmages this spring.

“Who said he was a standout,” Venables asked a reporter with a big grin on his face.

When the same reporter told the Clemson defensive coordinator that Kearse told him about his interception, Venables chuckled and said, “He did. It was a great play. It was number two. The quarterback threw it right to him. He made the play he was supposed to make.”

But Clemson football communications director Tim Bourret then mentioned that Kearse also dropped what could have been a second interception in the 100-play scrimmage.

“That’s right! So he dropped one. That’s fifty percent so that will get you beat,” Venables smiled.

Though he tried to humble Kearse’s efforts, Venables agreed his 6-foot-4, 210-pound free safety is having an excellent spring.

Kearse says the biggest thing he has worked on is his off-man coverage and his balls skills.

“When the ball goes in the air, I want to be able to go get it,” he said. “I feel like I definitely have been improving, but when I go into the summer that is something I’m going to attack. I want to be great and not just good.”

Venables has noticed Kearse has improved there.

“He has improved in some areas. He still has some things he has to get better at, but he has some flexibility and things that he can help us and can create some depth,” Venables said. “He is competitive, he is tough, he is pretty physical and he has good cover skills.

“He plays multiple positions for us and he really doesn’t them all pretty strong. I have been pleased with the spring he is having.”