When it comes to the tempo the offense will use this coming season, Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott says, “We are going faster than we ever have.”
But the offense is also making a ton of mistakes because of it, right now. During Friday’s practice, the offense turned the football over seven times—five interceptions and two lost fumbles. Is that a concern for Elliott?
“We expect some mistakes and we will get those corrected, but guys are playing at a high level,” Elliott said. “If our guys know what they’re doing, we will have a chance to compete with anybody.”
As good as advertised. Elliott says he has been impressed with the way true freshmen Ray Ray McCloud and Deon Cain have been performing through the first four days of camp.
“They’ve been as good as advertised,” he said.
Tight end Garrett Williams was also brought up by the Tigers’ new coordinator.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been pleased with what he has seen from his freshmen as well.
“We have 40 freshmen on this team including the red-shirt freshmen and I have been impressed. They are more talented as a group than the 42 freshmen we had on the 2011 team,” he said. “Now this group has a long way to go to match what those 2011 freshmen did because they went on to become the winningest class in Clemson history. But it is a talented group.”
Leggett works harder than anyone. Two years ago, tight end Jordan Leggett told the media he has a tendency to sometimes be lazy. That’s not the case anymore.
“He is one of the hardest workers on the team,” fellow tight end Stanton Seckinger said.
Seckinger, a senior, said Leggett is the symbolic figure in the tight end meeting rooms.
Swinney pleased with the focus. The Tigers will work a fifth consecutive day on Saturday, the first day of full pads, before taking Sunday off. Clemson has been grinding through the first week of practice and that is the way Swinney likes it.
“I don’t know what day it is and I don’t think our players do either,” he said. “We have their attention all day every day from August 4 until the start of school on August 19 and I have been very pleased with their focus. We are in a good spot right now. The players have bought into the work and they have responded so far. It has been four tough days of practice, but they have responded.”
Offense performs a little better. Clemson practiced a few periods of 11-on-11 work and the defense had the upper hand at the beginning. In fact, in the first 20 plays the defense held the offense to just 20 yards and allowed just three completions in 15 passes.
But the offense had the upper hand when the work went to the red-zone. Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed a 20-yard scoring pass to Mike Williams, while Nick Schuessler completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Germone Hopper, and Kelly Bryant threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Deon Cain.
The defense did have a strong day overall. Cornerback Ryan Carter had a pair of interceptions, while T.J. Green picked off Watson for a second straight day. Watson threw two interceptions.
Injury notes: Starting center Ryan Norton missed practice as he recovers from a concussion. Zac Brooks was out with a bruised heel. Linebacker Kendall Joseph missed his second straight day with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder.