Clemson's coaching staff is almost ready to put the finishing touches on spring practice after giving players Thursday and Friday off for Easter weekend. The team wrapped up Monday's session just before 6:30 p.m.
Dabo Swinney said tonight he was encouraged with today's workout and his team's general approach to drills.
"Today was a tough practice. We really challenged them right out of the gate today. We finished with a half scrimmage-type situation, just continuing to put them in situations so that we can evaluate them and develop them," he said. "It was a better day for the offense. Short yardage was better."
The first player mentioned by Dabo?
No. 48.
"We've had a hard time blocking D.J. Reader," he said. "I am really encouraged with how he has come to work, his attitude. Same thing with Shaq Lawson.
"Carlos Watkins is greatly improving, as well, getting back to where we know he can be. And Kevin Dodd has been consistent for us all spring."
The first group up front offensively remains Isaiah Battle, Eric Mac Lain, Ryan Norton, Tyrone Crowder and Joe Gore.
"I like the way the first and second groups have come together," said Swinney, who named Mitch Hyatt, Taylor Hearn (guard), Justin Falcinelli (C), Maverick Morris and Jake Fruhmorgen as his second group up front. "They've really solidified themselves in there."
Cordrea Tankersley remains the No. 2 corner behind Mackensie Alexander. Dabo also continued to sing Ryan Carter's praises, as well as Adrian Baker and Marcus Edmond. Carter did not have his best day, but Dabo reiterated that he's had a "great spring."
Dabo also again talked about the progress of Hunter Renfrow, a red-shirt freshman walk-on, who has drawn work at both receiver and punter. The feeling internally now is that Renfrow will ultimately position himself as a dependable option in Clemson's receiving corps.
"Renfrow ... he's a technical mess at punter. He just grabs it and booms it. You don't know where it's going. Don't ask him to drop it inside of the 20," said Swinney. "He'll be a definite factor for us from a special teams and a receiver rotation type of guy."
Both Dabo and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott again spoke very favorably of red-shirt freshman back C.J. Fuller. Dabo said it's an important summer upcoming for Fuller who could really be a factor in Clemson's loaded rotation at running back.
Speaking of the tailback rotation, I asked Jeff how much of a gap there is between Wayne Gallman, Zac Brooks and Tyshon Dye.
His response: "It's not as big as it's been in the past. I really think we have the potential to have the best core group of backs we've had in terms of very small drop-off from the first to the third guy."
Tight end Jordan Leggett continues to impress in what has been his best spring - by far.
"He is exactly what we want in a tight end," said Scott.
We spoke with several players as well, including defensive end Kevin Dodd.
Dodd again reiterated a statement made earlier in the spring by Reader who contended there may be no drop-off up front in 2015. In fact Dodd characterized it as "total domination."
"Best is the standard. We're going to show up. We always have the potential to be No. 1 if we do what it takes," said Dodd. "If we do what it takes to be No. 1, we'll be No. 1."
Dodd says he believes he's between a 4.6 and a 4.7 in the forty-yard dash. He's kept his weight down to 270 pounds.
I asked him where he feels he's made his biggest improvement this spring and he said it's his ability as a pass rusher.
"That's gone up a whole other notch, a whole other level. We work on pass rush everyday," he said. "But I'm a pretty good pass rusher. I'm one of the best ... I believe. I want to be that go-to guy. I want to be that dominant person when it's time to sack the quarterback."
Asked about the underclassmen defensive ends who have caught his eye this spring, Dodd, without hesitation, simply said "Ebo Ogundeko."
We hope everyone's week is off to a great start!
This post was edited on 4/6 8:56 PM by Cris_Ard
Dabo Swinney said tonight he was encouraged with today's workout and his team's general approach to drills.
"Today was a tough practice. We really challenged them right out of the gate today. We finished with a half scrimmage-type situation, just continuing to put them in situations so that we can evaluate them and develop them," he said. "It was a better day for the offense. Short yardage was better."
The first player mentioned by Dabo?
No. 48.
"We've had a hard time blocking D.J. Reader," he said. "I am really encouraged with how he has come to work, his attitude. Same thing with Shaq Lawson.
"Carlos Watkins is greatly improving, as well, getting back to where we know he can be. And Kevin Dodd has been consistent for us all spring."
The first group up front offensively remains Isaiah Battle, Eric Mac Lain, Ryan Norton, Tyrone Crowder and Joe Gore.
"I like the way the first and second groups have come together," said Swinney, who named Mitch Hyatt, Taylor Hearn (guard), Justin Falcinelli (C), Maverick Morris and Jake Fruhmorgen as his second group up front. "They've really solidified themselves in there."
Cordrea Tankersley remains the No. 2 corner behind Mackensie Alexander. Dabo also continued to sing Ryan Carter's praises, as well as Adrian Baker and Marcus Edmond. Carter did not have his best day, but Dabo reiterated that he's had a "great spring."
Dabo also again talked about the progress of Hunter Renfrow, a red-shirt freshman walk-on, who has drawn work at both receiver and punter. The feeling internally now is that Renfrow will ultimately position himself as a dependable option in Clemson's receiving corps.
"Renfrow ... he's a technical mess at punter. He just grabs it and booms it. You don't know where it's going. Don't ask him to drop it inside of the 20," said Swinney. "He'll be a definite factor for us from a special teams and a receiver rotation type of guy."
Both Dabo and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott again spoke very favorably of red-shirt freshman back C.J. Fuller. Dabo said it's an important summer upcoming for Fuller who could really be a factor in Clemson's loaded rotation at running back.
Speaking of the tailback rotation, I asked Jeff how much of a gap there is between Wayne Gallman, Zac Brooks and Tyshon Dye.
His response: "It's not as big as it's been in the past. I really think we have the potential to have the best core group of backs we've had in terms of very small drop-off from the first to the third guy."
Tight end Jordan Leggett continues to impress in what has been his best spring - by far.
"He is exactly what we want in a tight end," said Scott.
We spoke with several players as well, including defensive end Kevin Dodd.
Dodd again reiterated a statement made earlier in the spring by Reader who contended there may be no drop-off up front in 2015. In fact Dodd characterized it as "total domination."
"Best is the standard. We're going to show up. We always have the potential to be No. 1 if we do what it takes," said Dodd. "If we do what it takes to be No. 1, we'll be No. 1."
Dodd says he believes he's between a 4.6 and a 4.7 in the forty-yard dash. He's kept his weight down to 270 pounds.
I asked him where he feels he's made his biggest improvement this spring and he said it's his ability as a pass rusher.
"That's gone up a whole other notch, a whole other level. We work on pass rush everyday," he said. "But I'm a pretty good pass rusher. I'm one of the best ... I believe. I want to be that go-to guy. I want to be that dominant person when it's time to sack the quarterback."
Asked about the underclassmen defensive ends who have caught his eye this spring, Dodd, without hesitation, simply said "Ebo Ogundeko."
We hope everyone's week is off to a great start!
This post was edited on 4/6 8:56 PM by Cris_Ard
