PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. – Clemson and Ohio State players participated in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl Media Day to discuss the playoff matchup and their experience so far in Arizona.

Here is what we heard:

Freshman linebacker Jamie Skalski said having the opportunity to play in a game like this is a dream come true.

“It is amazing. It is everything you dream of when you are a kid about being on T.V. and just college football in general. It is everything and more. It is so fun, it is great,” Skalski said.

This year, Clemson has more time to spend in Arizona than the last time the Tigers got to play on the west coast, and the players are enjoying the opportunity to experience some new places.

“I went to Top Golf last night, so that was fun. I have never done that before. It was an interesting atmosphere,” freshman offensive lineman Sean Pollard said.

Pollard is also enjoying the opportunity to start on the offensive line since Jake Fruhmorgen decided to take a leave of absence halfway through the season and has not returned back to the field.

“I didn’t want to redshirt. I wanted to come in and play early. I wanted to start, but I knew there was somebody in front of me and he has been there a little bit longer than me, but things work out for a reason and I am very blessed to be in this situation,” Pollard said.

Clemson players also reflected upon how thankful they are for the Clemson football program and what it has done for them.

“The Clemson program practices what it preaches. The program here is just different from everybody else. I am just glad to be a part of Clemson,” quarterback Zerrick Cooper said.

Freshman running back Tavien Feaster added onto that by discussing how Clemson has helped him and other freshmen develop into better athletes.

“To go to a school like this, it is tremendous. They give you the plan, they want you to follow it. You come in and follow it and you put yourself in situations like this and they do it for the next class and repeat it. That is tremendous and I think that is a big thing in recruiting,” Feaster said.

Cooper and Feaster said a lot of their progression has also come from being mentored by leaders of the offense.

“He’s (Watson) been helping me a lot like on game day and game week how he prepares and all that for a game. Just taking my time and learning from him, Nick Schuessler and Kelly to see how it is so next year I can be ready and have experience for that,” Cooper said.

Gallman took Feaster under his wing over the summer and through fall camp to help him grow as a player and as a person.

“He has been a great leader. He has been teaching me things off and on the field. He keeps me motivated at times. He has just been a tremendous help in this first year,” Feaster said.