CLEMSON — The Clemson football team was back on the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Complex for the second day of fall camp.
Similar to day one, there was once again a very business-like vibe throughout the facility, at least in the very short viewing window the media was allowed to see on Friday. That window consisted of the first 4.5 periods.
Former Tiger standout receiver Martavis Bryant was on hand for practice on Friday. Bryant was a receiver during Chad Morris’ first stint running the Clemson offense.
Day 2 Newcomer Observations
– Once again, want to stress how much JUCO defensive tackle Andy Burburija stands out. He’s certainly not the tallest guy on the interior of that defensive front, but he is one of the more physically impressive. His strength really stands out. And those thighs, they might be the biggest on the team.
– Freshman TE Tayveon Wilson is a really smooth pass catcher. Today marks the second day in a row that he’s stood out among the first-year pass catchers. He is really good at going up and high-pointing the ball.
– Spent about half of the viewing window watching the offensive line, where Kevin Kelly spent some time on Friday afternoon. Freshmen Grant Wise and Chase Barclay already look the part. Wise was working with the interior linemen in the drills we watched, as was Barclay. If there are two freshmen capable of locking up spots on the two-deep, those are two worth keeping an eye on.
– Freshman Braden Wilmes looks to have added some bulk over the summer. He appears to weigh a little more than the 300 pounds he’s listed at on the Clemson website. At 6-foot-8, he is an imposing figure.
– Freshman Carter Scruggs is another good-looking prospect. And a big one at that. Matt Luke was giving him some personal attention early on in practice, telling the freshman to “lay into” his opponent.
– Freshman offensive lineman Leo Delaney also looks to be filling in that 6–foot-5 frame.
– Also spent a chunk of time watching the defensive ends. Transfer London Merrit looks ready to contribute. Not saying he will be the first guy out on the field, but would certainly expect him to be out there early and often.
– Transfer defensive end C.J. Wesley looks explosive, but not sure he has the size to be an every-down end. It will be interesting to see what the plan is for Wesley, who spent four seasons at Howard before arriving at Clemson.
– Spent the final few minutes watching the quarterbacks. Both Chris Vizzina and Tait Reynolds were again on-point with the accuracy. However, there was an instance or two I thought both were a hair late getting the ball out on a certain timing route.
However, like we said on Thursday, the ball just looks different coming out of Reynolds’ hand. His spirals are tighter, and he certainly has the upper hand when it comes to arm strength. One thing we can’t see during these practices is his ability to process and how he reads a defense. Those are going to be things that play a big part in deciding how realistic a shot he has at winning the job before the Tigers open the season against LSU in Baton Rouge on September 5.
Fall camp will continue with another practice on Saturday on the fields behind the Allen Reeves Complex.
