There is a reason why Clemson’s pass defense ranks in the top 15 nationally in just about every category, including a No. 4 ranking in pass efficiency defense. The reason, Mike Reed expects perfection from each and every player in his unit.
“They are never going to be where I want them to be,” Clemson’s secondary coach said recently to The Clemson Insider. “That is just a human nature kind of thing. I seek perfection, but I understand that no one, but the man above, is perfect.”
The Tigers ranked sixth in the country with 20 interceptions this past year, and 16 came from Reed’s secondary. Clemson also ranked 10th in completion percentage defense as opponents completed just 52.2 percent of their passes.
And though they may not be perfect next year, the Tigers should be pretty good on the back end. They do lose All-ACC safety Jadar Johnson and All-American cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, but they return everyone else.
Reed is really excited to see how a guy like Trayvon Mullen continues to develop in year two of their system.
“He has done well,” the Clemson coach said. “We are not the simplest defense to learn for a young kid. He can play not only the boundary side defense, but he can also go out to the field side and play that too. So he is a kid that came in with a high football IQ, and he did a heck of a job.
“His body has to continually change in order to be more physical, but he has done a great job.”
Reed had high praise for another freshman as well, safety K’Von Wallace. He played in all 15 games this season as a backup.
“It is the same thing. He is a kid that came in from a very good program out of Virginia Highlands Spring. Coach Johnson, their head coach, is a DB guy so he came in with a little bit more knowledge than some of the kids may have. He will be fine for us.”
Despite the up-and-down season cornerback Mark Fields had in 2016, Reed really likes the progression the sophomore has made and said they are counting on him to be even better next year. Fields played in all 15 games in 2016 and started one, while also returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown in the Tigers’ win at Boston College.
“He has done a great job,” Reed said. “He is continuing to mature and he is learning. That is all I can say. I’m going to push him. He has taken the initiative and he is learning.”
–Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
We are now taking pre-publication orders for our limited edition magazine Mission Accomplished. The first orders will be shipped the week of January 23. Order yours today to make sure you get a copy!
