Jordan Leggett did not want to expend the energy to walk the rest of the way to the interviewing gaggle of reporters. Instead, the junior tight end stopped a few feet short and found the nearest bench.
He already expended enough at Clemson’s practice on Tuesday.
“We’re definitely a little out of shape, just coming back,” he said with a grin, presumably using personal experience to speak for the team. “Everybody just ate a little bit unhealthy.”
After a light practice on Monday to shake off the rust from final exams, the Tigers went a bit harder on an unseasonably warm afternoon. Leggett says it is all part of the process of preparing the team for the difficult task ahead.
“We’re back to work,” he said. “Everybody’s really determined to get the job done and refocusing.”
Running back Wayne Gallman searched for a bench, as well, but he said he feels much better than he did this time last season. Even with a nagging injury, the sophomore feels better about his conditioning heading into a New Year’s Eve showdown with Oklahoma.
“I’m more confident in my legs and my body and being able to know what I know I can do,” Gallman said. “Still coming off of my ankle, I’ll get to heal up this bowl season and get ready for the game.”
Dabo Swinney knows his postseason practice plan has resulted in a rested and relaxed team over the past few seasons. On Monday, he noted the differences this time around since Oklahoma has had more time off than his team and because of the marathon ten-week stretch his team just completed, with a game on the schedule each Saturday.
“Certainly, we’ve got a lot of confidence in what we do because we’ve had success,” Swinney said. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to win the game. You’ve got to go earn that, but I do feel like we’ve had great preparation for our games.”
“He’s really looking out for our bodies,” Leggett said of his head coach. “He just wants to make sure we’re really all-in with what’s about to happen for this next week or so.”
The Tigers will practice in full pads on Wednesday as bowl preparations continue.