This from intern Toby Corriston:
LAWSON
--Jaheim’s dad played college basketball, so he was pushed to pursue basketball and thought he’d be a basketball player until his freshman year of high school. It wasn’t until Dabo Swinney opened his eyes and told him he wasn’t going to be a basketball player that he realized how tough it would be to make it in that sport.
--He acknowledges that the defense still has a lot of work to do, but Wes Goodwin always puts them in the right position. Personally, he feels they could have done better, especially technically, in the FSU game.
--Jaheim came in his freshman year weighing about 210-215 pounds and has since put on 35-40 pounds. It was a tough process, but he focused on his nutrition and doing all the right things. His ideal weight is 260.
--His brother Shaq Lawson committing to football after playing basketball made it a bit easier for him to switch to football, but Jaheim always wanted to carve his own path.
--After his freshman year, he realized he had the potential to be special at football. Although he originally wanted to be a wide receiver, he quickly discovered that hitting people was way more fun.
--His advice to younger players coming in is simple: “Come in and work. Put your nose down and work.” That’s exactly what he did when he started.
--Growing up in the Clemson area and being around the program, especially when his brother was playing, helped solidify his decision to come to Clemson and stick with it. He grew up tailgating and being part of the environment.
--Chris Rumph has brought more swagger to his game. He brings high intensity, which the group needs. Jaheim loves having him as a coach because he’s always pushing them to be better.
MOORE
--As things were happening during the hurricane, TJ learned what was going on at his parents’ house through updates from neighbors and the landlord. It was a tough time for his family, but it meant a lot to him and his family to see the Clemson community come together and help. His family felt extremely blessed by the support they received, which went far beyond football.
--Scoring a touchdown in Florida meant a lot to his mom. That moment was special for their family.
--His touchdown came on a screen pass, and he credits Phil Mafah for getting a great block, even though TJ was lined up a little too far out. Mafah still made it work.
--Tyler Grisham has used the iPads to show TJ that he was reverting to some of his high school habits, like using the same releases. The goal was to break those patterns and improve his technique.
--His parents remind him to stay focused on football, trusting that God will take care of them. It’s not always easy, but TJ understands that he’s here for football and that his parents are handling things as adults.
--The grading system helps him focus on the smaller details, not just the big plays. It’s those little things that can make all the difference in his improvement.
--Dabo Swinney mentioned that they’re “building a monster” in TJ, and he’s excited to keep working hard and eventually reveal that monster on the field.
LEIGH
--Leigh says the team does a great job of focusing from the inside out. They reset every week, treating each game as the biggest one of the year.
--After a wild weekend of college football, it reminds him that winning is hard. You never know what you’ll have to execute to get it done each week.
--Phil Mafah is an awesome teammate and roommate of Leigh. After every game they rewatch it together, and Phil always thanks the OL afterward on a big play, but never pointing fingers when mistakes are made.
--He feels fortunate to play for Matt Luke; each game he grades them fairly and gives them what they’ve earned. His goal is to get a winning grade each week, and then look at the notes on what he needs to improve during practice.
--The O-line’s attention to detail has improved thanks to Coach Luke. He’s very intentional about how they practice, reminding them that any play could be the one that changes the game.
--Andre Branch started a chant during his time at Clemson, and now Tristan has taken over the tradition. They do the chant on Fridays after game prep and then before the games as well, and Leigh credits his teammates’ confidence in him for allowing him to lead it. Ruke Orhorhoro did it before him, and now Leigh enjoys being the one to get everyone fired up.
HAUSER
--Nolan said it's awesome and a blessing to be named ACC Specialist of the Week. He credits having teammates like Clay Swinney and Holden Caspersen and their professionalism in doing their job.
--He doesn’t think much about blocked kicks. Everyone just does their job, and he has a lot of trust in the guys up front. They always bounce back.
--Dabo Swinney put a lot of pressure on him during the spring and summer, which helped him handle adversity. Coach would simulate game-winning field goals with guys all around him, trying to add pressure. That training really helped prepare him for game situations.
--Although he had 5-6 field goals in a game during high school, doing it at the college level is awesome. Looking back, he was surprised to realize he attempted seven field goals in a game because, in the moment, you don’t really think about it.
--Kicking on the road felt the same to him—nothing changed, and his depth perception or anything of the sorts wasn’t affected.
--Nolan praised Clay Swinney for his athletic play, quickly jumping on the loose ball after the blocked kick. It could have been a huge play for FSU, but Clay saved it by reacting quickly and recovering the ball.
--His mindset is that every kick is the same, regardless of distance. He doesn’t set an upper limit—it’s just based on how he feels that day. Both he and Coach Swinney know what his range is.
--He approaches every kick with confidence, believing he can make any kick he lines up for. A miss doesn’t affect him—he just goes out and does it again.
LAWSON
--Jaheim’s dad played college basketball, so he was pushed to pursue basketball and thought he’d be a basketball player until his freshman year of high school. It wasn’t until Dabo Swinney opened his eyes and told him he wasn’t going to be a basketball player that he realized how tough it would be to make it in that sport.
--He acknowledges that the defense still has a lot of work to do, but Wes Goodwin always puts them in the right position. Personally, he feels they could have done better, especially technically, in the FSU game.
--Jaheim came in his freshman year weighing about 210-215 pounds and has since put on 35-40 pounds. It was a tough process, but he focused on his nutrition and doing all the right things. His ideal weight is 260.
--His brother Shaq Lawson committing to football after playing basketball made it a bit easier for him to switch to football, but Jaheim always wanted to carve his own path.
--After his freshman year, he realized he had the potential to be special at football. Although he originally wanted to be a wide receiver, he quickly discovered that hitting people was way more fun.
--His advice to younger players coming in is simple: “Come in and work. Put your nose down and work.” That’s exactly what he did when he started.
--Growing up in the Clemson area and being around the program, especially when his brother was playing, helped solidify his decision to come to Clemson and stick with it. He grew up tailgating and being part of the environment.
--Chris Rumph has brought more swagger to his game. He brings high intensity, which the group needs. Jaheim loves having him as a coach because he’s always pushing them to be better.
MOORE
--As things were happening during the hurricane, TJ learned what was going on at his parents’ house through updates from neighbors and the landlord. It was a tough time for his family, but it meant a lot to him and his family to see the Clemson community come together and help. His family felt extremely blessed by the support they received, which went far beyond football.
--Scoring a touchdown in Florida meant a lot to his mom. That moment was special for their family.
--His touchdown came on a screen pass, and he credits Phil Mafah for getting a great block, even though TJ was lined up a little too far out. Mafah still made it work.
--Tyler Grisham has used the iPads to show TJ that he was reverting to some of his high school habits, like using the same releases. The goal was to break those patterns and improve his technique.
--His parents remind him to stay focused on football, trusting that God will take care of them. It’s not always easy, but TJ understands that he’s here for football and that his parents are handling things as adults.
--The grading system helps him focus on the smaller details, not just the big plays. It’s those little things that can make all the difference in his improvement.
--Dabo Swinney mentioned that they’re “building a monster” in TJ, and he’s excited to keep working hard and eventually reveal that monster on the field.
LEIGH
--Leigh says the team does a great job of focusing from the inside out. They reset every week, treating each game as the biggest one of the year.
--After a wild weekend of college football, it reminds him that winning is hard. You never know what you’ll have to execute to get it done each week.
--Phil Mafah is an awesome teammate and roommate of Leigh. After every game they rewatch it together, and Phil always thanks the OL afterward on a big play, but never pointing fingers when mistakes are made.
--He feels fortunate to play for Matt Luke; each game he grades them fairly and gives them what they’ve earned. His goal is to get a winning grade each week, and then look at the notes on what he needs to improve during practice.
--The O-line’s attention to detail has improved thanks to Coach Luke. He’s very intentional about how they practice, reminding them that any play could be the one that changes the game.
--Andre Branch started a chant during his time at Clemson, and now Tristan has taken over the tradition. They do the chant on Fridays after game prep and then before the games as well, and Leigh credits his teammates’ confidence in him for allowing him to lead it. Ruke Orhorhoro did it before him, and now Leigh enjoys being the one to get everyone fired up.
HAUSER
--Nolan said it's awesome and a blessing to be named ACC Specialist of the Week. He credits having teammates like Clay Swinney and Holden Caspersen and their professionalism in doing their job.
--He doesn’t think much about blocked kicks. Everyone just does their job, and he has a lot of trust in the guys up front. They always bounce back.
--Dabo Swinney put a lot of pressure on him during the spring and summer, which helped him handle adversity. Coach would simulate game-winning field goals with guys all around him, trying to add pressure. That training really helped prepare him for game situations.
--Although he had 5-6 field goals in a game during high school, doing it at the college level is awesome. Looking back, he was surprised to realize he attempted seven field goals in a game because, in the moment, you don’t really think about it.
--Kicking on the road felt the same to him—nothing changed, and his depth perception or anything of the sorts wasn’t affected.
--Nolan praised Clay Swinney for his athletic play, quickly jumping on the loose ball after the blocked kick. It could have been a huge play for FSU, but Clay saved it by reacting quickly and recovering the ball.
--His mindset is that every kick is the same, regardless of distance. He doesn’t set an upper limit—it’s just based on how he feels that day. Both he and Coach Swinney know what his range is.
--He approaches every kick with confidence, believing he can make any kick he lines up for. A miss doesn’t affect him—he just goes out and does it again.
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