Clemson redshirt junior Scott Pagano is doing a little boxing in Central to help improve his technique as a defensive tackle.

Pagano feels that his feet and hands have become quicker as a result of his work.

“I feel like it’s translated to the field in camp,” Pagano said after Clemson’s practice on Friday.

When Clemson and Auburn step into the proverbial ring at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, Pagano believes Clemson’s defensive line will be just fine in the fight despite recent injuries to defensive end Austin Bryant and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins.

“We can all play ball,” Pagano said of the defensive line. “We just line up and go play. Coach (Dan) Brooks and coach (Marion) Hobby have done a good job teaching us and getting us ready for practice and for every game, so I think we’ll be just fine.”

Christian Wilkins is expected to move from defensive tackle to defensive end in place of Bryant, who suffered a fracture in his foot on Tuesday that will sideline him for the first three games of the season.

With Wilkins’ probable move, Pagano is in line to be a starter at tackle. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder believes he brings physical and mental strength to the fold.

“My strength, just being physical and the mental part, as well,” Pagano said. “Being quick on the line of scrimmage.”

Freshman defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is also poised for more early playing time after Watkins sustained a wrist injury this week that could cause him to miss two or three weeks.

Pagano is sold on Lawrence’s potential.

“I’ve never seen a man that big before in my life,” Pagano said. “He’s only 18 years old, which is more scary. The sky is the limit for him. He’s going to be a phenomenal player by the time he leaves here. It’s been nice to teach him a few things here and there, and take him under our wing.”

Three weeks into fall practice, Pagano has been encouraged by the competition among Wilkins, Watkins, Lawrence, Albert Huggins and Nyles Pinckney at defensive tackle.

“It’s good. It gets us better every day,” Pagano said. “It keeps us working hard every day and trying to get that number-one spot. I feel like we’ve all had a good fall camp.”

The same can be said of the competition among Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Richard Yeargin and Chris Register at defensive end.

From Pagano’s perspective, Register, Ferrell and Yeargin have all stood out.

“Chris Register is the most improved player to me, I feel like,” Pagano said. “He worked his butt off in the summer. Him and Clelin. They’ve been popping out, and Richard has put on a lot of weight and gotten faster.”

After the injuries to Bryant and Watkins, it’s a “next man up” mentality for Clemson’s defensive line.

And Pagano thinks the line will be just fine.

“We look really good,” Pagano said. “We’re going to do our job and get it done.”