CLEMSON – Almost exactly three years after Misun “Tink” Kelley committed to Clemson as a two-way player, he made his first start for the Tigers solely as a defensive back in a win over Troy last Saturday.

Kelley, a local product who helped nearby D.W. Daniel High School to two state titles as well as a 21-1 record, was originally committed to Clemson as a wide receiver as well as a defender after scoring touchdowns five different ways in high school.

Now, the redshirt sophomore, formerly a three-star recruit, has his sights focused on playing defense.

“When you’re younger, you’re coming in as a freshman, you go obviously want to play offense a little bit more,” Kelley said. “I got a little older and I knew I started liking DB a little bit more. So, I started watching like highlight tapes of other DBs in league and I just felt like I like that a little bit more.”

After growing up watching and speaking with star Clemson wide receivers like DeAndre Hopkins, a fellow Daniel alum, he was originally drawn to the flashiness of catching touchdowns and igniting crowds.

Kelley cited making defenders look silly and finding open space as his favorite parts of playing wide receiver. He is certainly no stranger to these feelings, after recording six touchdown catches as a high school senior. 

Years after his success at Daniel, however, he believes that knowledge of wide receivers’ mentalities and tendencies has helped him become a better defensive player.

“I know what they want when they line up,” he said. “I know when they want to take a shot, I know they want to run the ball right here. And then like a lot of receivers got a lot of tendencies. So I know when they’re about to run a route that their offense is looking at.”

When defensive coordinator Tom Allen arrived at Clemson, he immediately implemented his own hybrid position that involves combining the responsibilities of a safety, nickel corner, and outside linebacker. 

According to Allen and head coach Dabo Swinney, Kelley’s toughness and football knowledge make him a perfect candidate to start in this “Tiger” position.

“That’s why we signed (Kelley),” Swinney said. “Good football players who love the game and have toughness and passion and are willing to do what it takes, Tink is one of those guys.”

Kelley believes that his experience with finding and cutting off open space align with the custom role.

“I think one of my best abilities is like being in open space,” he said. “And then at the same time, I play slot wide receiver. It’s not like I play corner. I kind of know based off their alignment what they want, how guys attack me with different routes.”

For Kelley, it’s, “whatever the team needs me to be.”

The Tigers will need Kelley to be dynamic as No. 12 Clemson will take on ACC foe Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium this Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN.