Before Clemson kicked off spring practice on Feb. 28, head coach Dabo Swinney revealed that Markus Dixon, a redshirt sophomore tight end, would be practicing at the defensive end position this spring.

According to Swinney, the spring “experiment” with Dixon is something Dixon “instigated,” and Swinney added that the Tigers wanted to “see what he looks like” on the defensive side of the ball.

Swinney met with the media again this past Friday after the first week of spring practice and gave an update on how Dixon’s transition to defensive end has been going so far.

“It’s been good. I would say he’s flashed,” Swinney said. “You see his natural athletic – I mean, he’s a really good athlete, but he’s I think made a good transition. What’s the physicality going to look like, how’s it going to look when you’re asking him to spill a pulling guard? What does that stuff look like? But I think he’s really taking to it well.”

Dixon played defensive end, as well as tight end, wide receiver, safety and quarterback, during his prep career at Archbishop Wood High School (Pa.).

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder has played 34 offensive snaps over 12 games in his first two seasons at Clemson.

Along with Dixon, Swinney said redshirt sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Misun “Tink” Kelley has “flashed” as well while working on the defensive side this spring.

“Tink is another guy that we’ve kind of been really trying to evaluate this spring,” Swinney said. “So, those guys, I would say they’ve flashed each day in some form or fashion.”

Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen recently mentioned Kelley as one of the candidates to fill the important “Tiger” (nickel) position.