From intern Toby Corriston:
--The defense has had a good fall camp, and for the most part, there’s a lot of healthy players, which he’s very pleased with because it’s not always the case at Clemson, especially with defensive backs.
--Ashton Hampton had a successful transition from safety to cornerback. It wasn’t a big transition; it was seen as a challenge to him. His football background, with a football coach father and a DB-playing brother, helped him adapt.
--Avieon Terrell’s consistency and performance have been impressive, he’s been known for his professional attitude and determination from a young age, he always has something to prove, which Reed has noticed from a young age. Terrell is proving himself beyond just being AJ’s little brother.
--Avieon is more outspoken and demonstrative compared to the quieter AJ. He has shown more success at this point compared to AJ, but Mike Reed has loved working with both of them.
--The brothers have different demeanors: Avieon’s confidence and style are part of his personality, while AJ is much quieter and reserved.
--Coach Reed was teammates with Ashton Hampton’s father back in the NFL and has known Ashton since he was a baby. He even ran into him on the tarmac before a National Championship game when Hampton was probably 4-5 and took a picture with him, not knowing he’d end up back here today.
--Lucas has shown flashes of the talent that made him a top recruit. He’s been overcoming injuries the past couple of years and is now getting opportunities to prove himself.
--This team loves each other, and when that’s the case, you have success. “If football was like life, we’d be in a better place.” You can see the love not just in the facility but outside it as well.
--It’s extremely valuable to have a game like last weekend where players get valuable playing time, gain confidence, and experience early in the season. Everyone is one play away from playing, so being prepared is crucial because you never know when you might need to step up due to injuries.
--From a strictly cornerback standpoint, this is the deepest room he’s ever had.
--Shelton Lewis showed a lot of versatility by playing as a nickel back for the first time. It’s valuable for him to have experience in multiple positions because it can be plug-and-play if someone gets injured. Having players who can play multiple spots increases their value, especially for NFL prospects.
--Having more coaches allowed to actually coach, like Coach Allan for punting, adds expertise and credibility to the staff.
--Their presence improves the quality of coaching and player development. The player-to-coach ratio is basically 1:1 now. Everyone has a specific coach for every play, and they’re able to give instant advice.
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