Clemson cornerback Adrian Baker tore his ACL during last Saturday’s practice. Head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed Baker’s injury prior to the Tigers’ sixth practice of the spring on Wednesday.
The team’s worst fear in regards to his knee was confirmed on Monday.
“Just like in a lot of ACL injuries, it was non-contact. It was planted doing one-on-ones. He just planted it,” Swinney said. “We have already started that process of getting him back. We are all hopeful. The goal is to get him sometime in September back with us.
“His attitude is good, but you hate it when young men have to deal with that type of adversity. But we have a long line of guys that we can point to, starting with Deshaun Watson, Charone Peake, Tony Steward, and so on and so on, with guys that have dealt with the same thing. Hopefully, Adrian will attack his rehab like those guys and have that same type of success.”
Swinney also indicated Kaleb Chalmers has missed time with an injured shoulder, but he is expected to be back after spring break, while Amir Trapp busted his hand, but Clemson’s head coach says he will be back, too, once the Tigers return.
Safety Korrin Wiggins, who tore his ACL during the first week of fall camp last year, will also be back to practice and will be wearing a green jersey when he gets back from break.
As for who has taken over for Baker, Swinney says Mark Fields is No. 1. Swinney says he is excited about Fields’ potential at cornerback and thinks he can be really good before it is all said and done. Ryan Carter, who is also playing safety this spring, is the backup to Fields. He is followed by Marcus Edmond and Chalmers.
Offensive line looks good. Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott says has looked really good this spring and that for the first time in his time as a coach at Clemson, the offensive line has a very strong two-deep.
He said during Monday’s half scrimmage they had very few missed assignments.
“They have a chance to be better than they were last year,” Scott said.
Lawrence making it hard. Scott said he has not been envies of the second- and third-team offensive line through the first six practices. Why? They are having to block freshman defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Lawrence, a five-star defensive tackle from Wake Forest, N.C., is 6-foot-5 and weighs 340 pounds.
“It isn’t fair for the second- and third-team guys to try and block him,” Scott said.
With that, Scott said he has been pleased with progress of freshman offensive linemen Sean Pollard and Tremayne Anchrum.
“It is good they are getting those reps,” he said.
Running back competition heating up. Wayne Gallman is clearly the Tigers No. 1 running back, but Scott said after practice Adam Choice, Tyshon Dye and C.J. Fuller have all been playing really well.
“We have four really good players at running back,” he said.
Scott went onto say they feel Choice is a natural runner and he is poised for a good year.
Greenlee making a push. Scott said there is no real separation from anyone at second-team tight end, but he says D.J. Greenlee is having a good spring heading into the break.
No number two. After six practices, it appears there is no separation from Kelly Bryant and Nick Schuessler at the No. 2 quarterback position. Scott says both guys are doing well, but neither one has shown they want to take the position over.
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