CLEMSON — The Clemson football team was back on the practice fields on Friday afternoon, and the intensity was evident from the jump.

Cade Klubnik was visually animated, leading the team into drills. The veteran quarterback wanted to race every player lined up beside him during the very first drill, which features players sprinting while hurdling bags on the ground. After being matched up with Antonio Williams on day one, Klubnik was beside Tristan Leigh and Elyjah Thurmon on Thursday. Klubnik got the better of the two offensive linemen and was letting them hear about it on the way out to the practice field.

Newcomer Observations

– Transfer WR Tristan Smith, who is now wearing No. 3, keeps impressing. He uses his large frame so well and tracks the ball with ease. His ability to go up and high point the ball really stands out, and he looks much more comfortable running the drills than he did in the spring when everything was still new.

– Spent some time watching the offensive line, and Matt Luke was constantly reminding his group that the season is rapidly approaching.

“We only get so many days, we are running out of days,” the offensive line coach said loudly.

– Freshman Easton Ware was on the receiving end of a lot of praise from Luke. He was running with the second and third group, depending on the drill. In one of the drills, Ware was matched up one-on-one against Blake Miller, a rep Ware won. He is going to be a good one.

– Freshman Brayden Jacobs was once again working with the second team, not just with the offensive line, but also on punt return.

– Freshman Tucker Kattus, who did not enroll early, had to repeat a rep on one of the drills on more than one occasion. Kattus looked a little like he was swimming out there at times, and his footwork was a little slow.

– Freshman Mason Wade really fires off the ball. He’s still young, but it looks like there is a lot of talent to work with. At 6-foot-5 and in the neighborhood of 310 pounds, the staff has to like where he is physically for a freshman, and he moves very well for a player that size.

– Former basketball standout Ian Schieffelin is still knocking off some rust. It is obvious that he is embracing this new challenge, but there have been times during drills in which he’s looked a little hesitant. It’s almost like he is doing some of them in slow motion, just to be sure he is getting them right.

– Freshman TE Logan Brooking already looks the part. He was fifth in the rotation, with only Schieffelin repping behind him. When Olsen Patt-Henry returns, that would push him back one more spot.

– Freshman QB Chris Denson threw some good balls in one of the drills I watched, but he absolutely still has some room to improve. Particularly when it comes to his footwork. He was literally flat-footed on several throws.

– Freshman Ari Watford was in a green jersey, taking part in some drills. He is sporting a brace on that surgically repaired left knee.

– Another impressive day for freshman Amare Adams. Once again, he was working with the second group, alongside Stephiylan Green. He absolutely explodes off the ball, and his motor never stops running.

Photo courtesy of Dawson Powers