Latest Update on Clemson Starting Safeties

One question heading into tonight’s season opener between No. 4 Clemson and No. 9 LSU was how exactly Clemson’s starting secondary would look, specifically at the safety position.

Based on what The Clemson Insider observed during pregame warmups, it appears Clemson will roll out Ricardo Jones and Ronan Hanafin as the starting safeties.

Jones, a sophomore, enters this season credited with 22 tackles (one for loss), one sack and an interception in 146 defensive snaps over 12 games in his debut season last year.

Hanafin, a junior and former wide receiver, heads into this season having played 130 snaps from scrimmage (41 on offense, 89 on defense) over 25 career games in addition to his role as a key special teams player. Last year, he transitioned from wide receiver to defensive back in August and finished the year credited with 13 tackles and a pass breakup in 89 defensive snaps over 14 games.

Kickoff at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium is set for around 7:30 p.m. The highly anticipated showdown will be televised on ABC.