On Saturday, 12th-ranked Clemson will host its first full-scrimmage of training camp at Death Valley as the coaches hope to see some movement on the depth chart and some separation in those competitions that are too close to call at this point.
The competition is still tight at the cornerback spot opposite Mackensie Alexander, the running back position and at kicker. It’s also an opportunity for the 25 true freshmen to prove they can contribute this coming season.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says the coaching staff will make a decision on who will or who will not play this fall on Thursday, following another scrimmage.
“Thursday is when we will start kind of getting zeroed in a little bit on who is going to definitely play, and who is on the bubble? There will be a few guys probably on the bubble, and whom do we want to definitely redshirt if possible.
“All of those things can change in a practice based on injuries and things like that.”
So who is expected to redshirt and who will not? It’s easier to answer the ones that will play as opposed to those who might not.
Obviously, offensive tackles Mitch Hyatt and Jake Fruhmorgen will play. Hyatt is expected to start at left tackle, while Fruhmorgen is second on the depth chart behind Joe Gore at right tackle.
Swinney said Ray Ray McCloud and Deon Cain will play this fall, while co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott had high praise for tight end Garrett Williams.
On the defensive side of the ball, Albert Huggins, Christian Wilkins, Mark Fields, Van Smith, Austin Bryant and Clelin Bryant could all see the field this fall, while Swinney said linebacker Jalen Williams has really put himself in a good position to play as well.
“There are other guys that are in the mix,” Swinney said. “Jalen Williams has made a real push. He has made a real push. We just have to continue to let them go compete. Again, we will get a little more zeroed in on Thursday.”
The Tigers also want to zero in on improving off of Wednesday’s situational scrimmage.
“We had a lot of mental errors and those are thing we have to correct,” Scott said. “We took a lot of time correcting those so you want to be able to see a team not making the same mistakes they made in the first scrimmage.
“It takes away a little bit of you effectiveness to execute. Just one or two guys not doing the right thing takes away from the whole play. So really being able to execute and also play faster, those are the biggest things we are looking for tomorrow.”
With All-ACC wide receiver Mike Williams possibly being held out of the scrimmage to let his hamstring heal, Scott says it will give guys like Cain and redshirt freshman Trevion Thompson, an opportunity to show what they can do.
“We know what Mike can do and he has had a good fall camp, but really I want to find out about the younger guys and really put some pressure on them before we throw them out there in a game,” Scott said.
Clemson will scrimmage for two hours in Death Valley on Saturday morning. The scrimmage is closed to the media and the public.