Clemson conducted its next-to-last practice Monday before spring break.
A restricted number of media members were granted a viewing window for the first half-hour of drills.
Here are some nuggets and observations:
**** To survive and then succeed under offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has always required thick skin.
Ryan Linthicum takes instruction from Robbie Caldwell.
Clemson's center candidates have had their feet particularly held to the fire this spring as the Tigers seek to replace Cade Stewart.
Hunter Rayburn has been working with the first team, but Rayburn had on a yellow jersey for injury and did not participate in line drills.
Mason Trotter climbed to Rayburn's spot, with freshman Ryan Linthicum serving as the second-teamer.
The lines were going through calls, audibles and their movements against skeleton defense ... and we'll just say Caldwell ran a fine comb over every word and action -- specifically imploring both to be more vocal.
There are reasons the Tigers have relied almost strictly on veterans to be the starting center the last decade.
**** Redshirt freshman Kevin Swint has worked with the defensive ends this spring after spending his first year at linebacker.
We suspect several factors were involved in this position switch.
DeMonte Capehart (green) and Kevin Swint (14) worked with the defensive linemen.
Justin Foster's decision to retire from football last month leaves Clemson with five recruited scholarship defensive ends (Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll, Greg Williams and Cade Denhoff) for spring ball, along with veteran former walk-on Regan Upshaw (who has also been out in yellow jersey because of injury. K.J. Henry remains sidelined after postseason surgery.
So the Tigers could use options, along with younger options for the long term.
In tandem, Clemson has a glut of inside linebackers and certainly could spare one or two this spring with all the veteran options -- even with Baylon Spector sidelined and James Skalski granted super senior benefits by Dabo Swinney.
Swint -- listed at 6-3, 230 pounds on Clemson's spring roster -- is a naturally thicker guy whom Rivals.com projected to fill into an edge defender come college anyhow. Let's just say we're not so sure this wasn't always the more likely progression.
As with a few who've made the similar move before, it's clear there will be an adjustment period to learning how to play starting from a hand-on-the-ground stance.
**** Albeit just running routes on air, particularly impressed by how fluid Beaux Collins is for his size.
Beaux Collins runs a route as new support staffer Artavis Scott looks on.
The predicted story of Ajou Ajou's developmental career: One rep, Tyler Grisham is having to go through the mechanics of accelerating off the line of scrimmage. A little later, Ajou made a nice twisting catch on a slant thrown behind his hips.
**** Frank Ladson was not dressed for practice but observed alongside Dabo Swinney.
Freshman offensive lineman Marcus Tate and tight end Jaelyn Lay were also among those sitting out, while defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and tight end Braden Galloway participated in green.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
A restricted number of media members were granted a viewing window for the first half-hour of drills.
Here are some nuggets and observations:
**** To survive and then succeed under offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has always required thick skin.
Ryan Linthicum takes instruction from Robbie Caldwell.
Clemson's center candidates have had their feet particularly held to the fire this spring as the Tigers seek to replace Cade Stewart.
Hunter Rayburn has been working with the first team, but Rayburn had on a yellow jersey for injury and did not participate in line drills.
Mason Trotter climbed to Rayburn's spot, with freshman Ryan Linthicum serving as the second-teamer.
The lines were going through calls, audibles and their movements against skeleton defense ... and we'll just say Caldwell ran a fine comb over every word and action -- specifically imploring both to be more vocal.
There are reasons the Tigers have relied almost strictly on veterans to be the starting center the last decade.
**** Redshirt freshman Kevin Swint has worked with the defensive ends this spring after spending his first year at linebacker.
We suspect several factors were involved in this position switch.
DeMonte Capehart (green) and Kevin Swint (14) worked with the defensive linemen.
Justin Foster's decision to retire from football last month leaves Clemson with five recruited scholarship defensive ends (Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll, Greg Williams and Cade Denhoff) for spring ball, along with veteran former walk-on Regan Upshaw (who has also been out in yellow jersey because of injury. K.J. Henry remains sidelined after postseason surgery.
So the Tigers could use options, along with younger options for the long term.
In tandem, Clemson has a glut of inside linebackers and certainly could spare one or two this spring with all the veteran options -- even with Baylon Spector sidelined and James Skalski granted super senior benefits by Dabo Swinney.
Swint -- listed at 6-3, 230 pounds on Clemson's spring roster -- is a naturally thicker guy whom Rivals.com projected to fill into an edge defender come college anyhow. Let's just say we're not so sure this wasn't always the more likely progression.
As with a few who've made the similar move before, it's clear there will be an adjustment period to learning how to play starting from a hand-on-the-ground stance.
**** Albeit just running routes on air, particularly impressed by how fluid Beaux Collins is for his size.
Beaux Collins runs a route as new support staffer Artavis Scott looks on.
The predicted story of Ajou Ajou's developmental career: One rep, Tyler Grisham is having to go through the mechanics of accelerating off the line of scrimmage. A little later, Ajou made a nice twisting catch on a slant thrown behind his hips.
**** Frank Ladson was not dressed for practice but observed alongside Dabo Swinney.
Freshman offensive lineman Marcus Tate and tight end Jaelyn Lay were also among those sitting out, while defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and tight end Braden Galloway participated in green.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
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