CLEMSON — When Avieon Terrell snagged Haynes King’s pass with one hand in Clemson’s win over Georgia Tech this past Saturday, most of the 81,000 at Memorial Stadium were surprised.

No one on the Clemson sideline was.

This is what they have seen from Terrell since he arrived at Clemson last summer.

“He is a kid that we knew early on, all the way back in camp, was going to be something special,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.

Terrell’s one-hand interception on the Georgia Tech quarterback was a great play. However, his technique on what caused the interception was even better.

First, he did not go for the double move that worked so well for Tech’s Eric Singleton the week before against Virginia. Then he ran up the sideline facing Singleton, shielding the Yellow Jackets’ talented receiver from the ball.

Once he read Singleton’s eyes, it was easy for him to turn and look for the football, which he snagged with his left hand, while using his right arm to cushion his fall.

“He is one of those guys that you just knew would get better,” Swinney said. “He is very focused. He is just like his brother in that regard. He just goes about his business all the time and he has a great attitude.

“He is competitive, and he has a ton of confidence. Just something we have seen all year, and he has taken advantage of his opportunity.”

Terrell, the younger brother of former Clemson star A.J. Terrell, has played in every game this season either on special teams or playing the nickel position in most cases. He started his first game at cornerback against then No. 12 Notre Dame, while racking up 60 snaps.

“That was his true big test, and he did a great job,” Swinney said. “He has really created a great spark for us out there.”

Terrell then got his second start last Saturday against Georgia Tech, and once again he shined. Besides his one-handed interception, the younger Terrell also tallied four tackles and broke up a pass.

“He is a very talented young player,” Swinney said. “(Nickel) is kind of where we were working him a good bit, creating some depth there and also at corner. With (Jeadyn Lukus) getting hurt, obviously Sheridan (Jones) is hurt, well, all of a sudden it created more opportunity for him at corner.”

And Terrell responded with solid play.

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