CLEMSON – The Clemson linebacker room had to adjust without Barrett Carter Saturday, and a redshirt freshman made a large impact for the Tigers.

Kobe McCloud is in his second year, and injuries thrust him into a large role against a vaunted Georgia Tech offense. It was on short notice, but the people around him gave him the confidence he needed heading into the game.

“Before the game, Coach Wes came up to me, ‘hey, you’re up, you’re ready, you’re prepared,’ and the same with Coach Swinney. Even Barrett like ‘hey, you’re ready, man,’” McCloud said.

McCloud’s coaches and players have his back and he said it was great to have that coming into the game. Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were two players he mentioned at length because he’s been “soaking up” all he can from the two talented linebackers.

After last season where he came in over the summer, he’s much more comfortable in the system. It was a lot to jump into Division-I football, but it’s becoming natural now for McCloud.

”It’s a big difference physical, and most importantly mental. Coming in right before fall camp, having everything thrown at you. Everything’s fast. I just had to get myself mentally and physically ready. Coming into this year, I just felt ready. It was a big difference from last year, it was a big jump. I know the playbook in and out,” McCloud said.

The redshirt freshman said “all I did was work” and he saw the fruits of that labor Saturday against Georgia Tech. McCloud had two tackles, including a tackle for loss and proved that he can be a key piece moving forward.

On his tackle for loss, McCloud said it was a play he’d seen on film and knew what was coming before it happened. The crowd and the sideline erupted, and he said it was a “great experience” in Death Valley.

The youth in Clemson continues to shine, and McCloud is the latest to make an impact as the Tigers build for the future.