PHOENIX, Ariz. – Both Clemson and Alabama players and coaches alike gathered for the College Football Playoff National Championship media day on Saturday morning at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Here is what we heard:
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney may embrace the underdog role as a motivational source, but the Tigers certainly do not believe that they are an underdog coming into the title game.
“We may not be the favorite, but we don’t see ourselves as an underdog. We think that we’ve got a great team and I think that our guys have done a great job of embracing every role that we’ve been put on for the last seven years to be honest with you. That is why we’ve been so consistent. The only other team that has had five 10-plus win seasons, we’re playing them, Alabama. So there has been a lot of consistency between these two teams, and our guys have earned that. For whatever reason people are just noticing that this year. It is not about being the favorite and being the underdog. It is about how you play the game, and our core values and the things we believe in,” Swinney said.
Swinney said that although the mantra all season has been that each game is the biggest game of the year, this one truly is because there will not be a next one. All of Clemson’s focus is on Alabama in this business trip.
“There is no other game next week unless I can talk these guys into a 16th game and a scrimmage or something like that, but we’re excited about it, have great respect for Alabama. How can you not? They have been the standard in college football for a long time, so our guys are just focused on trying to get themselves ready to play,” Swinney said.
With the Clemson-Alabama matchup, Swinney has been questioned about the possibility that he would ever leave Clemson for Alabama. However, Swinney made it very clear that he cherishes the opportunity he has at Clemson.
“I always tell people never say never, but man I love my job at Clemson. What people don’t understand is I’ve been at Clemson for 13 years. I was at Alabama 13 seasons and I just finished my 13th year. I didn’t get a 14th season at Alabama. I’m hoping I get a 14th one at Clemson. I’ve been here a long time, so I feel like that I’ve been just kind of intertwined in the DNA of Clemson. It is amazing how many people have documented the ties of Clemson and Alabama. It has been a great fit for me and a great place to raise my children. The only thing I think about every day is how I can make Clemson better,” Swinney said.
Defensive end Shaq Lawson drew a crowd at media day as he provided updates on the status of his knee injury.
“I feel like I’m getting better at it, and each day I’m moving. I continue to work on that and get it back to where it was at,” Lawson said. “I have been preparing myself by being on the field every day. I have been in the film room. When I’m not out there with those guys, I’m still preparing like I’m playing. I’m in there studying the opponent. If I do get back on that field, I want to win it for my team.”
Although Lawson aims to play, he is still in a lot of pain. Freshman Austin Bryant filled in for Lawson at the Orange Bowl, and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins has full faith in Bryant’s ability if Lawson cannot play.
“I’m very comfortable with Austin to be honest. I feel like he can get it done,” Watkins said.
Alabama’s front seven is widely recognized as the strength of the Tide’s defense, but co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott has not overlooked Alabama’s talented secondary.
“Those guys in the back are very talented. I think they’ll be the best secondary that we face all year,” Elliot said. “Both of the corners are high-level, elite guys, guys that can really run, have great ball skills. You have to search to find a lot of video of guys completing passes, making a lot of plays on them. Every play, a catch the guys make is a contested catch, where the guy’s there.”
Media day also brought along another rare interview with cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
Here are some of his best quotes:
“I’m not materialistic like the world wants everybody to be. I’m about the real things in life. People that need help, helping others. I don’t think about myself. Serving other people, that is the biggest thing to me. I’m a good guy. I’m just blessed enough to be this athletic and gifted,” Alexander said.
“This ain’t my first rodeo, so I don’t have nothing to say. I don’t boost the guys up. I’m all about earning everything, because I’ve earned everything my whole life. I respect all of my opponents,” Alexander said.