This Clemson cornerback has made major strides in preseason camp, according to head coach Dabo Swinney.

Swinney said Thursday following Clemson’s second and final scrimmage of camp that redshirt sophomore corner Branden Strozier has “taken a huge jump.”

Last year, Swinney says, Strozier “was hanging off the cliff, and we’re throwing a lifeline down and he’s just hanging.”

“Now he’s back on top of the land and halfway back to town,” Swinney said. “He’s back in a really good spot.”

Swinney added that he’s “proud” of Strozier, who’s vying for a backup cornerback spot behind starters Avieon Terrell and Ashton Hampton.

A former four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Strozier enters the 2025 campaign credited with four tackles in 80 defensive snaps over 10 career games across his first two seasons at Clemson from 2023-24. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder posted four tackles in 73 defensive snaps over eight games.

Swinney said redshirt freshman cornerback Corian Gipson has made a big jump, as well, giving the Tigers “four very functional guys” at corner between Strozier, Gipson, Terrell and Hampton.

“Gip is a completely different dude than he was this time last year,” Swinney said. “So, that’s a real blessing, because it gives us four very functional guys.”

Clemson also has senior corner Jeadyn Lukus, who has been hurt and is still limited but should be back soon, according to Swinney, who noted that Shelton Lewis and Misun “Tink” Kelley can play corner as well.