With the first day of fall camp in the books, here are some things we heard:

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is excited about his team. He does not have any concerns, but he feels that there will be some challenges to deal with in camp.

“I love our roster,” he said. “It’s a good group with some youth, hunger and enthusiasm, and then some good, savvy veteran leadership.”

“I’d be concerned if we didn’t have talent, but we’ve got talent. We just have a lot of work to do. We’ve got to grow guys up,” he said.

One of the main challenges of fall camp will be finding a kicker. Clemson’s kicker, Ammon Lakip, was suspended for an off-season arrest.

“Who is kicking? Who is kicking off? Who is kicking field goals? Who are the backups,” Swinney asked. “There are some questions we have to get resolved there. But we have talent on the roster so we will see how that all plays out.”

Deshaun Watson is ready to be back out on the field. He will be wearing a brace as a precaution, but he feels good, and he is ready to lead the team.

“I don’t even really worry about the brace. It’s just there for protection, and it is working so far,” the sophomore said.

“I feel good. They cleared me to play and so I’m just out there helping my team out,” Watson said.  “I’m blessed to be able to play the game again.”

“I know we have a special team, but we just have to go out there and perform and prove it.”

The incoming freshmen are as advertised, and Watson is excited about the potential impact that they can have on the offense in the future.

“They look good,” he said. “Mike Williams, Artavis, Charone (Peake) and (Germone Hopper), all of those guys have been doing a great job of teaching the younger guys and making sure we build that depth and that trust in case we need them this season. They have been working hard and each day they have been trying to get better.”

The defense is putting in work and their expectations are sky-high.

“Our goal is to win the national championship. I think if you are a football player, a leader and have a lot of pride that should be everyone’s goal. Make it to the top. That’s our goal and that has been our goal since Day One,” said starting linebacker Ben Boulware.

“A lot of the guys in our linebacker room are eager to learn,” Boulware continued. “Guys are in there early. They are in their books. They are putting in the extra time that it takes to be a successful player at this level.”

Clemson will also gain back a potential starter at SAM with the return of Travis Blanks. He will be competing for time at Nickel back and SAM.

The team was looking great on the injury front until freshman quarterback Tucker Israel broke his foot in the first day of practice.

“He broke the fifth metatarsal bone in a foot early in the practice,” said Swinney. “He will be out at least four week. It is the same injury Garry Peters had when he was out a month during the 2013 season.”

All in all, Swinney believes that it was a great first day of camp, and he loves the energy coming from his team.

“I think our team is in a good spot mentally and physically. We’re a healthy team, and we’re a team that I think is ready to go to work,” he said.

Clemson will practice again on Wednesday starting at 4:20 p.m. inside the Indoor Practice Facility.