Now that Clemson has wrapped up fall camp, the team is preparing for their first opponent of the season. Although the Tigers had a successful scrimmage, they still have a long way to go before kickoff in the Valley.
Here is what we heard from Friday’s practice:
“It was a little bit sluggish that first day because you’re trying to get everybody organized and situated. There’s a lot of teaching going on as far as schemes of the other team. It’s been all Clemson up until this point, but we got some good work done,” head coach Dabo Swinney said.
Offensive lineman Ryan Norton had great things to say about all of his teammates, but knows that they still have to put in a lot of work before they can be truly game-ready.
“I still think we have a lot to go. I feel like you’re never game ready until the game is there,” Norton said. “You’re never really there until the game is set.”
He raved about the defensive talent that he has been going up against throughout fall camp.
“Our defensive line is going to be unbelievable. I can tell you that much right now. They’re going to be a pretty special group. If you look at the drop off we had last year between the first and second team, there was none.”
Norton also went on to compliment not just the front five, but also all of Clemson’s offensive linemen for the special bond that they have created.
“We all hang out together. We all joke around together. This is probably the closest-knit group I’ve had since I have been here, “Norton said. “I think it is because everyone comes out here with a working mentality. Everyone really comes out and gives their all in practice.”
Cornerback Ryan carter believed that the team had a good tempo in Friday’s practice. Carter has been spoken highly of by the coaches throughout fall camp, but he refuses to be complacent.
“I still feel like I can push myself more. I’m still not where I want to be but I’m just satisfied to be in the mix and to be able to compete with some of the best defensive backs in the country,” Carter said.
Carter credits his teammates, especially Mackensie Alexander, for helping to push him to be the best that he can be.
“Those guys are competing every day and they’re teaching me the fundamentals of the game,” Carter said. “Seeing them, especially Mackensie, seeing him work everyday, coming into practice everyday and working definitely makes me want to work harder.”
After Thursday’s scrimmage, defensive coordinator Brent Venables was a little frustrated with his defense. When asked about that, Travis Blanks went on to say that is what makes Venables such a good coach.
“Coach V is a perfectionist. He wants everything to be perfect. We did a thousand things right, but the five things that we didn’t do right is what he wants to focus on, and that is what is going to get us to the next level,” Blanks said. “We did a lot of good things yesterday, but the things we did wrong, we have to get them corrected. That’s what makes him a good coach.”
On the injury front, Swinney had a few things to report from Thursday’s scrimmage.
“Probably the biggest thing from the scrimmage was Mark Fields. He broke a little bone in his hand. He’ll probably have a cast on his hand for about four weeks or so. GHop (Germone Hopper) had a bruised back, but again, nothing that’s going to keep anybody out for extended amounts of time,” Swinney said.
Swinney also made some statements regarding who will redshirt and who will play. Chad Smith and Clelin Ferrell are still “on the bubble,” but Mitch Hyatt, Jake Fruhmorgen, Deon Cain, Ray Ray McCloud, Christian Wilkins, Van Smith, Austin Bryant, Albert Huggins, Garrett Williams, Jalen Williams, Kelly Bryant and the Davis twins are all likely to play this season.