On Monday morning Clemson began it’s first of three two-a-day practices. Head coach Dabo Swinney and some members of the offense addressed the media after the first session. The Tigers practiced later in the afternoon in Death Valley, which was closed from the public and the media.

Here is what we heard:

Swinney is keeping the intensity up in practice.

“Tough practice today, really physical,” Swinney said. “Guys are working hard doing a good job at trying to create the competition that we really need…We’re going to have more competition than we had last year, especially on defense, and that bodes well for us when we work everything out.”

Running back C.J. Fuller agrees that Clemson’s offense can be truly great if they continue to work like they have been.

“We just have to keep at it every day and don’t get complacent,” Fuller said.

Fuller was also complimentary of running backs Tavien Feaster and Adam Choice, and said the amount of talent at that position provides a lot of healthy competition.

“It is great competition. Every day we are competing. We are all friends off the field, but on the field we are all competing,” Fuller said.

Offensive lineman Tyrone Crowder said the backfield has a lot of diversity with all of its talented playmakers.

“We have a lot of choices to chose from. Everybody brings their own different little flavor to the offense. Wayne (Gallman) is just an all-around guy and (Adam) Choice, and Tyshon (Dye). Tyshon has been here for awhile. (Tavien) Feaster, I like what I have seen out of him. He is a very explosive guy,” Crowder said.

Crowder is ready for the season to get started, but he is thankful for the opportunity to grow as a player in fall camp. He looks to improve upon his consistency over the next few weeks.

“My thing for me was just being more consistent and finishing more blocks. I feel like I am slowly getting to where I need to be, and I am just ready for the season to start,” Crowder said.

The offensive line grew stronger on Monday when former defensive tackle Gage Cervenka made the switch over from the defensive side of the ball.

“I don’t have any doubt that it is going to work out,” Swinney said. “Gage Cervenka is a heck of a football player. He would have played at D-tackle for us at some point. He was just going to have to be really patient over there. He is a redshirt freshman and he has five or six guys that are better than him right now. They’re in front of him. There are only so many reps. If he could get more reps, he could stay a D-tackle and he could be a good college D-tackle. But I think he has a chance to be a great offensive lineman. I think this is the right move for him, the team and his future. I really do.”

Swinney is confident the position move will have a positive impact on Cervenka’s career as an athlete.

“Gage is a tough player. His strengths as a football player are going to be accentuated on the OL,” Swinney said. “He just looks different over there.”