CLEMSON – It’s been over a year since Clemson safety Tyler Venables has put on pads and it’s changed his perspective entering his graduate season.

Venables rehabbed from a hip injury during nearly all of the 2023 season and now he’s back in full for 2024 spring practice. Following the first day back, Venables talked about how his perspective has changed with so much time off.

“It felt like it was a new experience. I haven’t really put pads on since the Orange Bowl and I haven’t tackled anybody since the Orange Bowl because we weren’t in full pads or anything. That’s going to be a weird experience for me too, but just really cherishing the moment and understanding I don’t have a lot of time left with this game,” Venables said.

Coming out of high school, Venables didn’t have any injuries issues but said “all the sudden” it was one thing after another that’s plagued his Tigers career. He even said that his hamstrings are made out of “cold Twizzlers” if you needed a visualization.

After all this time away from the game, Venables is still one of the leaders of this team. It’s something that he doesn’t take lightly, but he also said he’s “the last guy” to get up and act like he’s the top dog.

“I know I’m an older guy and I know I have some intelligence with this game and specifically defense. I know I bring value, when we watch film for example, I know a little bit more than the vast majority so I try to give input there. I don’t try to ever speak too much,” Venables said.

Heading into 2024, Venables wants the leadership to be “one solid voice” however that is achieved as a team. For the man who had 60 tackles over two seasons, Venables is the brains of the defensive backfield and that’s invaluable to an otherwise young unit.