The forecast for Tuesday afternoon is sunny and 97, but it will feel like Christmas for the Clemson coaching staff as they get their first look at some of their new toys. Today we take a look at some of the best presents that will be seen for the first time when the Tigers open camp at 4 p.m..
At our house on Christmas morning we put the presents in piles by name and then alternate opening the presents. Jeff Scott will have the best Christmas on Tuesday when he gets to unwrap the presents of two five-star receivers in Deon Cain and Ray Ray McCloud. Every top coach in the nation wanted those presents under the tree.
Look for Scott to share his presents with tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Danny Pearman this year to provide some new weapons on kickoff and punt returns. We might even see Cain and McCloud under center at times in the wildcat formation.
No team in the country will have two freshmen receivers any better than the two that will practice for the first time with the Tigers on Tuesday.
Dan Brooks won’t have two five-star presents to see for the first time, but he might have the player that will have the biggest impact this season. After losing three outstanding defensive tackles to the NFL, Christian Wilkins couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Wilkins is the most physically gifted defensive tackle the Tigers have signed in a long time. He should see significant playing time early and will be hard to keep off the field as the season progresses.
With the secondary Mike Reed has returning he might not feel like he needs any presents this Christmas, but he will get several including one that could make a significant impact this season. The great thing is what is probably his best present was stolen from his biggest rival. Mark Fields will have a number of people in front of him on the depth chart when he practices for the first time on Tuesday, but don’t expect that to last long. As soon as Field’s learns the defense he will see the field often. Don’t be surprised if he is starting at corner when Clemson plays for the ACC Championship in December.
Marion Hobby won’t feel slighted this Christmas either. While others might be getting presents they didn’t need four-star defensive ends in Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell couldn’t come at a better time. Both are returning from injuries, but both have the talent to help provide much needed depth at defensive end. Expect the playing time to increase as the season progresses for both of these future Clemson stars.
This is only a few of the presents that will be opened on Tuesday at the Indoor Practice Facility. It should be a great Christmas in August for the Clemson coaching staff.