When Dabo Swinney huddled his players up, like he does after every practice, following Clemson’s final scrimmage of the preseason last Thursday, he singled out backup tight end Milan Richard for his play on the field.

It’s not an uncommon practice for the Tigers’ head coach to do that, but it is not something he does on a whim, either. It’s the moment when he sees the light bulb has finally come on for one of his guys.

Richard quietly had the best camp he has had since he came to Clemson in 2014. He has been making spectacular catches, his getting himself open and he has improved as a blocker, too. His hard work also showed in the off-season. When he checked into camp earlier this month, he weighed in at 258 pounds, eight pounds heavier than he was at the end of last season.

“He still isn’t a butt kicker like I need him to be at the point of attack, but he is a heck of a lot better than he was when he got here,” Swinney said. “He has made progress in all areas. If he continues to do that, he is going to be a good player. He is just going to be a (redshirt) sophomore.”

In the Tigers’ final scrimmage, the Savannah, Georgia native had four catches for 48 yards. Swinney called it his best day as Clemson Tiger.

“He went up and made a very competitive play over Muse down the sideline. His confidence is the highest it has ever been,” Swinney said. “He is playing the fastest he has ever played.”

Richard would have been credited for another 30-yard catch, but the reception was wiped out due to a penalty.

“He has definitely looked good these past couple of days. He has taken to coaching from Coach (Danny) Pearman and stuff like that,” starting tight end Jordan Leggett said. “He has taken it from the meeting rooms to the field. It is really kind of good to see.”

If Richard can continue to be productive, especially as a pass catcher, he gives the Tigers another weapon, especially when they go to their two or three-tight end sets.

“We have been looking for a guy to step up into that role and Milan is kind of making his way up to the top,” Leggett said.

Now that Richard is finally starting to look and play the part, the comparisons people made when he first got on campus between him and former Clemson great tight end Dwayne Allen may finally be coming to fruition.

Leggett says he sees it.

“He has some growing up to do, but I think if he really keys in on it and really focuses in on his game, I feel like he can be a really good tight end here,” the John Mackey Award Finalist said.

Richard is definitely on his way to being just that, or Swinney would not have singled him out.

“Milan is a guy that really gives us some good length down the field and things like that so I’m proud of him,” the Clemson coach said. “It is good to see him have a day like he had (Thursday). Hopefully, that’s some confidence he can continue to fuel himself with.”