PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Thursday was media day at the 46th Fiesta Bowl as the media was afforded the opportunity to speak with any player and coach they wanted to as No. 2 Clemson gets ready to play No. 3 Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday as part of the College Football Playoff.
Here are some news and notes we discovered while talking to Clemson players and coaches.
Safety/nickel back Korrin Wiggin has not played since the Syracuse game for the Tigers, missing the last four games. He has played in seven games overall with a season-high 40 snaps against Louisville.
So why hasn’t the redshirt junior played?
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m fresh. I’m ready to go. I don’t why I have not been playing, that is something you have to ask Coach (Dabo Swinney).”
Wiggins said he wish he could have contributed more this season. He said he has been ready and earned an opportunity in camp.
“There are only things I can control, and I have control the things I can control,” he said.
The 6-foot, 200-pound defensive back says he has spoken with Swinney, defensive coordinator Brent Venables and secondary coach Mike Reed about his lack of playing time, but he says, “I can control what I can control.”
Wiggins says none of that has discouraged him, though, and he says he will be back in Clemson for his senior season.
“Ever since I was in high school, I have been committed to Clemson. I’m fully committed to this university. I started here. I will finish here,” he said.
How about leaving school early for the NFL?
“I have NFL thoughts, but I know I can dominate the college level and that is what I want to do, first,” he said. “I will be back.”
Replacing Leggett. Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett has had a record-breaking career at Clemson as he has set many single-season and career records during his time as a Tiger, but now Clemson gets set in the next few weeks to begin life without the two-time All-ACC and All-American tight end.
So who is in position to do so?
Tight ends coach Danny Pearman says the next guys are obviously between Milan Richard, Cannon Smith and Garrett Williams. He said he also looks forward to seeing D.J. Greenlee, J.C. Chalk and Shadell Bell in that mix as well.
“They all bring something to the table. They are all another year older, which will tell the work that they have put in to put themselves in position to help us next year,” he said.
The best four: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney allows his defensive coaches to determine who get the go when they start talking about projected starters. Then he can make the change if he feels like it is needed.
When it comes to where Christian Wilkins is placed come next spring, defensive ends coach Marion Hobby would love to see Swinney keep the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder coming off the edge once again in 2017.
“Chris has done a great job at defensive end, and had a great year,” Hobby said. “I thought he could help us at defensive end, but even on game day he did surprise me with some of the things he was able to do at that position.
“I was like, ‘Wow! This kid here can play. Then it was like, ‘I think I’m going to hold onto him.’ I think Coach Swinney will leave it up to Christian as well, and where he feels more comfortable. But Chris will do anything. His energy level is awesome.”