CLEMSON – Defensive tackle is a position that Clemson has a lot of trust in, and the Tigers moved two players to the edge to display that confidence. There’s a mid-year enrollee coming along, adding more depth to Clemson’s interior.

Champ Thompson enrolled in January and has drawn praise ever since. He comes in with the body to play at the college level at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds.

During the open practice days, Thompson’s strength was evident and he fits in with the defensive tackle room smoothly. What’s allowed him to prove himself early comes on the mental side, and he’s soaking up all the info he can.

“Champ’s like a real coachable young guy. He’s going to be real good,” Payton Page said.

Tre Williams is a player who has taken Thompson under his wing and has a smile on his face talking about him. It’s still early, but the freshman has made a strong impression and quickly made his place in a tight-knit room.

“He’s very coachable. He’s a dog, he loves to work and he’s not afraid to ask questions so anything he doesn’t know, he’s going to be ask you. He’s going to ask you if he can watch extra tape with you, do extra field work with him, lift extra weights with him. There’s nothing he’s afraid to ask so it’s very encouraging to see a young guy like that,” Williams said.

Thompson came in as a four-star recruit and he’s practicing with a chip on his shoulder early. Given his physicality and the praise from players and coaches, it’ll be no surprise if he produces early for Clemson.