CLEMSON —When he has a little more time, Dabo Swinney might be able declare which is the best freshman class he has ever had at Clemson, but not on a week when he has to prepare for Drake Maye and No. 22 North Carolina.

The Tar Heels (8-2, 4-2 ACC) visit Memorial Stadium Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

Swinney hopes his 2023 Freshman Class can be as productive this week as they were last week in the Tigers’ 42-21 win over Georgia Tech. The Clemson defense had four freshmen—Khalil Barnes, Avieon Terrell, Kylon Giffin and Shelton Lewis—intercepted passes last week, while freshman receiver Tyler Brown made a spectacular one-handed catch for a touchdown.

Tight end Josh Sapp—a redshirt freshman—also had a touchdown, as he went over the top of a Georgia Tech linebacker and took the ball away.

Where does this year’s freshmen class compare to some of Clemson’s other great classes?

“I know our 2011 Freshman Class was pretty good,” the Clemson head coach said.

The 2011 Freshman Class ranked No. 10 overall by 247 Sports and was ranked No. 10 in the composite rankings.

In case your memory needs to be refreshed.

The 2011 class consisted off wide receiver Sammy Watkins, wide receiver Adam Humphries, wide receiver Charone Peake, wide receiver Martavis Bryant, quarterback Cole Stoudt, offensive guard Eric Mac Lain, linebacker Stephone Anthony, linebacker Tony Steward, Linebacker B.J. Goodson, safety Robert Smith, defensive end Kevin Dodd, defensive end Corey Crawford, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive tackle DeShawn Williams to name some.

“We have had a bunch of great freshman classes around here. I have to really sit down and lay it all out to declare a winner,” Swinney said. “These guys have certainly done a lot of good things. They have put themselves in position to do some great things in the years to come.”

In last week’s game, the Tigers had five freshmen start the Georgia Tech game, and seven more played prominent roles in the outcome. In other words, 12 true and redshirt freshman made serious contributions in Clemson’s victory.

“I think all of these freshmen, offensively and defensively, that is one attribute that I love about this class. It is a physical group. It is a naturally physical group. All of them, both sides of the ball,” Swinney said.

They are also playmakers.

Besides Brown’s one-handed grab for a score and Sapp’s touchdown, Terrell snared a pass with one hand to get his first career interception. Lewis picked off a pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.

“It is a really good group all across the board, and obviously you have seen some guys over on the defensive side,” Swinney said. “It is a really good group of physical guys. We are excited about what we have, and obviously you have seen some of them and some of them you have not.

“Another thing I love about this group is they are competitive. They are a really competitive group, and it shows up in everything they do. We have a lot to be excited about with these guys.”

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