Clemson defensive end Logan Rudolph wasn’t on track to redshirt as a true freshman last fall. However, things changed after he re-injured his shoulder in the week leading up to the Boston College game in September.

Rudolph, a highly regarded prospect from Northwestern High School, played in two of Clemson’s first three games before dislocating his shoulder in practice. He then decided to undergo season-ending surgery and was given a medical redshirt.

The good news for Rudolph is that he will be full go by the time Clemson begins spring practice in March.

“I’m feeling good,” Rudolph told The Clemson Insider recently. “I’m doing well, healing up. I’m supposed to be 100 percent by February.

“(The rehab process) has been good. I’ve got two more months to go, so I should be feeling really good before spring ball, and I’ll be able to go through it.”

The Tigers knew before the season began that Rudolph would need another surgery on his shoulder to remove a bone fracture at some point, regardless of what happened during the year. Rudolph missed most of his senior season at Northwestern after suffering a torn labrum. He subsequently had surgery and went through rehab, but the shoulder did not heal 100 percent.

Rudolph played through the pain in fall camp, though, and ended up earning a reserve role at defensive end. He gained valuable experience before going down with the injury, recording three tackles and a tackle for loss across 26 snaps over two games.

“It was great having experience early on and getting to learn from guys like Austin (Bryant) and Cle (Clelin Ferrell), and just getting my feet wet,” Rudolph said.

As an early enrollee, Rudolph arrived to Clemson last January and thus was able to participate in spring practice. The native of Rock Hill, S.C., worked at linebacker in the spring before moving to defensive end in fall camp. Defensive end Richard Yeargin was out for the season after injuring his neck in a car accident over the summer, so the Tigers were forced to prepare Rudolph to provide depth at the position.

Defensive end is the position Rudolph played in high school, and he envisions staying there moving forward.

“I think D-end is a better option for me,” Rudolph said. “That’s where coach V (Brent Venables) wants me to play, and I think it’s more natural for me.”

Rudolph said Venables has been there for him throughout the recovery process.

“He’s been supportive,” Rudolph said, “and he’s just told me to keep my head down and keep working, and my time will come.”

Rudolph, a former consensus top-10 prospect in South Carolina, will look to reestablish himself as a contributor at defensive end next season.

Nearly back to full health, he is ready to hit the ground running in the spring.

“It’s very exciting,” Rudolph said. “I’m glad I’ll be healthy now and just be 100 percent ready to go and won’t be playing with one arm. But yeah, it will be good.”