A week before second-ranked Clemson visits Auburn in the season opener, cornerback Cordrea Tankersley says the secondary is starting to come together.

One of the Tigers’ biggest question marks this preseason, they have had to find starters at both safety positions and at the other cornerback spot opposite Tankersley. Jadar Johnson and Van Smith won the jobs at strong and free safety in the spring, while Mark Fields and Ryan Carter are in a foot race to see who will win the other corner job.

“I feel we’re still developing,” Tankersley said. “We still have a long way to go. We are progressing each and every day and we all just need to get on the same page, but I think this group wants to be great.

“We come in with a competitive edge every single day and I think that’s just going to drive us in the long run.”

It has been a fun summer for Tankersley as he has watched his teammates compete hard for the starting jobs. He has been impressed with the ownership Fields has taken in the meeting rooms and on the practice field, and he has also liked the way freshman Trayvon Mullen has come in and competed for playing time.

The senior says secondary coach Mike Reed can’t go wrong with any of the three battling for the job.

“I love them already,” Tankersley said. “I mean Mark, Ryan Carter and of course Trayvon. Whoever Coach feels like is the best fit … I think anyone of those guys could go out and get the job done.

“It’s been a really good competition.”

Tankersley did admit he would not mind seeing Carter, even if he is in a backup role, playing the corner position instead of at safety.

“I think I’d love to see him at corner. He’s a great safety. He is really good at safety, but I’d love to see him compete at corner,” Tankersley said. “That’s where he’s been busting his butt since he’s got here. He’s very competitive, plays bigger than what he is and I think he’s put forth the effort since the start of spring.

“He just wants to be a great player and I’m really proud of him and I’m excited for him this year.”

Carter played half the spring at safety before injuries and attrition forced the coaching staff to move him back to corner for the second half. The redshirt junior came into the summer at corner and has spent most of his time over there after Marcus Edmond injured his hamstring on Day 1 and missed all of training camp.

Tankersley says Carter is a guy that can bounce back and forth at either cornerback or safety and he will not miss a beat.

“Oh I feel very good about that because he knows what he is doing. He had to come back to corner, of course you know, due to injury, but wherever you need him you know he’s going to be there for you and do a good job.

“It’s that experience that he has.”