By Will Vandervort.

Before his team broke for the summer following last week’s spring game, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney challenged his team to put in the same work they have done all winter and spring, but the catch? They have to do it when no one is watching.

Per NCAA rules, coaches are not allowed to assist or administer any organized summer practices until fall camp begins in August. So what does that mean exactly? The players are on their own.

“We have a lot of work to do this summer. I don’t think there is any question that we have the makings of a good team, but champions are made when nobody is looking. That is the biggest challenge,” Swinney said Friday just before IPTAY’s first Prowl & Growl event at Fluor Field in Greenville. “What we get done this summer and the leadership this summer, the grind – that is when you win and I think right now that is what our focus is.

“If we pay the price and do the things we need to do this summer, then hopefully, when we get back and have a good camp, I can start thinking about what kind of team we have. We have a lot of work to do right now to be thinking about being a great team.”

Swinney, who has said several times he really likes the makeup of this team, admitted the spring was one of the best he has had since taking over the program in 2009.

“I think it is the competition, the energy, the sense of urgency and some guys that had to be patient like Ebo, whose time has finally come.  He just can’t get enough of it,” the Clemson coach said. “Also, fifteen mid-years showing up, high school guys that are all of sudden fused into your spring practice. I think that has been a big part of it as well, and then we have some guys back that are coming off injury and stuff like that so there was just an edge out there where you could not take a day off.

“There was really no deficiencies on our practice field so that competitiveness, that mix of experience, that youth and that hunger to say, ‘Alright, it is time to seize the moment’ was a lot of fun all spring long.”

Cross training. Swinney said they did a lot of cross training at many positions this spring. Mike Williams and Charone Peake crossed trained at wide receiver to create more depth at their positions. Freshman Albert Huggins worked at both defensive end and defensive tackle. Korrin Wiggins did a lot of safety work this spring as well as practiced a lot as the nickel back and there was cross training at linebacker, too, though Swinney did not go into any detail.

Linemen are where they need to be. Maverick Morris, who came to Clemson as an offensive tackle, moved to guard this spring and Swinney says, “That is his spot.”

“We really like him there,” the Clemson coach said. “He had a great spring for us.”

Justin Falcinelli, who was supposed to play guard, moved over to center to help with depth issues due to Jay Guillermo’s absence, and the coaches were really pleased with what he was able to get done.

“I think we have them all where we need to be heading into fall camp,” Swinney said.

Huggins will start summer at DT. Swinney says Huggins will start camp at defensive tackle when practice resumes in August, but he can play defensive end as well.

“I think the final spot will be dictated by personnel, other guys and injuries,” Swinney said. “He is just too talented of a guy not to have in the mix somewhere.”

Choice could redshirt. With so many running backs on Clemson’s depth chart this fall, there is a chance someone might not see the field.  That someone could be sophomore Adam Choice.

Choice eventually won the Tigers’ starting spot at running back as a true freshman last year, but tore his ACL at Boston College on Oct. 13. He came back towards the end of spring, but he did not participate in any contact drills. He is expected to be released to work out with the rest of the team when the Tigers return for summer workouts next month.

But with a healthy Wayne Gallman, Tyshon Dye, Zac Brooks, C.J. Davidson and C.J. Fuller, the question becomes how he will fit in coming off such a serious injury?

“We certainly could consider him for a redshirt,” Swinney said. “That would be a luxury. That would be like having a lot of money in the savings account or something. That would be a real luxury. You are talking about a guy that became a starter as a true freshman for us. We will see.

“Obviously, we are blessed with some real depth, but ya’ll know how it is, you get thin real quick. Those are decisions you don’t make in April. Those are September and October decisions that are based on what happens in fall camp and what happens in the early part of the season.”

Where will Travis Blanks play.  Swinney said redshirt junior Travis Blanks will be back in the box playing nickel or strongside linebacker for the Tigers this coming fall.

As you recall, Blanks asked to be redshirted last season when his knee did not respond to the rehab as he would have liked last summer. When he got back during bowl workouts in December, he suffered a second ACL tear and had to have off-season surgery for a second straight year.

“That is the best spot for him,” Swinney said. “That is where he has had the most success. He will be either nickel or SAM and could possibly play a little (weakside) backer.

“He is the guy that has the ability (to play anywhere). He is very smart, very instinctive and is a great tackler. He is physically tough and is kind of a violent player in there. Really that is more his niche. Don’t count Travis Blanks out. We are talking about an outstanding football player. He was a freshman all-American and he earned it.”