As junior safety Van Smith parts ways with Clemson University and begins to prepare for the 2018 NFL Draft, he is leaving behind a successful collegiate career in hopes of finding continued success in the National Football League. During his time as a Tiger, Smith had a total of 190 tackles, eight tackles for loss […]
Like his teammate Ray-Ray McCloud indicated earlier on Sunday, Clemson safety Van Smith has decided to forgo his senior year and will put his name into the NFL Draft pool. The junior indicated as much, but did not come out and say it directly, earlier in the day on Twitter, but a school spokesman confirmed […]
NEW ORLEANS – Clemson is gearing up for its third consecutive College Football Playoff, one game away from its third straight national championship game. As the Tigers gear up for the rubber match with Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, The Clemson Insider learned many draft eligible players received their draft grades from NFL scouts. The […]
Following the ACC Championship Game Clemson players enjoyed a week off to heal and rest up for their upcoming College Football Playoff Semifinal game with Alabama on New Year’s Eve. For some players with NFL aspirations it meant time to ponder their future and what the next year could hold for them. During Wednesday’s media […]
All the momentum had shifted to the Florid State sideline. After tight end Ryan Izzo caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from quarterback James Blackman to pull the Seminoles within three points, defensive end Brian Burns recovered a Kelly Bryant fumble at the Clemson 40-yard line with 6:46 to play in the game. The fourth-ranked Tigers’ […]
With guys like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell returning on the defensive line, everyone knows what to expect from Clemson’s defensive line. At linebacker, head coach Dabo Swinney has been saying it’s the best group of linebackers he has had since he has been the Tigers’ head coach. Even defensive coordinator Brent Venables […]
When Clemson’s defense comes up in conversation, a good bit of it revolves around the Tigers’ talented defensive line. There’s a logical explanation for that. There are four actually. With All-American Christian Wilkins, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Dexter Lawrence, Fiesta Bowl MVP Clelin Ferrell and, a budding star in his own right, defensive […]
The Clemson Insider gives a scouting report on every player on Clemson’s summer depth chart. We will break down what the player does best, what he needs to work on, how he compares to other former players at his position and where he fits on the Clemson roster. Player name: Van Smith (5-11, 195) Player position: Free […]
Clemson safety Van Smith does not feel as if there will be a drop off on the defensive side of the ball this fall, but he knows that doesn’t mean someone in the media isn’t going to say it. In each of the last two seasons, the media has hyped the fact the Tigers lost […]
Going into last season, there were many questions about how the secondary would replace two big, strong safeties with plenty of experience. Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green were as big and hard-hitting as any safety in college football, and it is tough to replace their type combination of size, speed and athleticism. Luckily, the Tigers […]