CLEMSON -- We don't think we're exaggerating when saying Dabo Swinney exuded a bit more energy than even his normal when he snagged the microphone and talked campers through instructions Wednesday morning.
As others had told us, Swinney could not have been more amped to have this year's Swinney Camp and get back to a more relatively normal football routine.
The recruits were here. Parents, their coaches and family members were here. And so were many other standard high school players.
It was all back, with the NCAA's extended pandemic dead period having ended the day before. And you could tangibly soak in the excitement and appreciation in Swinney's voice and body language throughout the morning.
On to the show ...
=====================================================
If you're going to have star power at one position in a camp setting, you'd probably vote for defensive line. Which is where the most talented assembled this morning.
Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson rising junior high-four star defensive lineman Peter Woods and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star rising junior defensive end Malik Bryant were the guests of honor, as they watched the proceedings while mingling with Clemson coaches and players.
We can now tell you Bryant (6-3, 225), ranked No. 18 nationally by Rivals.com, trains with a Orlando-based group that produced Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis. So there's familiarity.
That led to Woods (6-2, 276), ranked No. 5 overall, being roped in for introductions.
Swinney's righthand man, Woody McCorvey -- he of extended Alabama background -- spent considerable time talking with Woods' parents.
These visits are about relationships and exposure to your culture. And what both invariably observed was the personality of the players -- especially, in our estimation, K.J. Henry.
Henry exuded charisma and charm in guiding the participating prospects through drills, and that marries well with his profile as the son of a college coach. He'll be a coach one day, too; today, he was an ideal recruiter, we'd opine.
As we noted on the WestZone message board, Clemson also entertained Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic four-star defensive tackle Hero Kanu.
Kanu (6-5, 293) reinforced our impression coming in. He's a thick body who's understandably raw at the position. But there's an easiness in his movement and agility that isn't characteristic among many bodies with his bulk and stature.
Tampa (Fla.) Gaither four-star defensive end Mario Eugenio, Kissimmee(Fla.) Osceola four-star rising junior lineman Derrick LeBlanc and Orlando (Fla.) Ocoee three-star defensive tackle Jordan Phillips also worked out in the group.
On performance alone, we would give Kanu and Phillips higher billing.
=====================================================
We've mentioned that Clemson continues to survey additional candidates at running back this class, while four-stars Branson Robinson and Trevor Etienne are lined up to attend next week's Elite Retreat.
The Tigers got a look Wednesday at a regional four-star perhaps in the conversation.
Midlothian (Va.) Manchester four-star Ramon Brown worked out for running backs coach C.J. Spiller.
Brown (5-11, 201) profiles as a back probably closer to the mold for what they had in Wisconsin transfer Chez Mellusi.
He reportedly has visits lined up to South Carolina, Penn State and Maryland this month.
Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater rising junior Cedric Baxter, a former FSU commitment, also competed. Our initial takeaway was question as to whether Baxter might project more as a receiver based on body type.
=====================================================
Among others who didn't work out where Hays (Kan.) new linebacker offer Jaren Kanak and Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips four-star rising junior offensive lineman Payton Kirkland.
Kanak observed and appeared to take some mental reps in preparation for working out this afternoon.
Kirkland wore a big brace on his left leg and watched the activities from a golf cart as his parents toured the facility. We are told he injured his knee at UGA yesterday.
=====================================================
Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake rising junior four-star corner offer Avieon Terrell headlined the defensive back group. Terrell was limited by some soreness, and we're not sure he went through 1-on-1s as a result.
While a handful of other name DBs were on hand, the two who caught our eye were Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville safety Jayden Sweeney and Coppell (Texas) rising junior Braxton Myers.
Myers (6-0, 190) has offers from Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech.
We can tell you Clemson has multiple connections there should it get involved.
Sweeney (6-0, 175) has picked up offers this spring from Duke, Coastal Carolina and other Sun Belt programs.
=====================================================
A couple of other odds and ends ...
*** The offensive linemen who stood out most was Clearwater (Fla.) Academy junior Lucas Simmons. Simmons (6-7, 300) is another international import (Sweden) with a long, lean frame to pack on considerable mass as he fills out.
*** At quarterback, Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood four-star Dylan Lonergan distinguished himself among the pool of candidates, which included Spartanburg (S.C.)'s Raheim Jeter and Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley's DQ Smith.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
As others had told us, Swinney could not have been more amped to have this year's Swinney Camp and get back to a more relatively normal football routine.
The recruits were here. Parents, their coaches and family members were here. And so were many other standard high school players.
It was all back, with the NCAA's extended pandemic dead period having ended the day before. And you could tangibly soak in the excitement and appreciation in Swinney's voice and body language throughout the morning.
On to the show ...
=====================================================
If you're going to have star power at one position in a camp setting, you'd probably vote for defensive line. Which is where the most talented assembled this morning.
Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson rising junior high-four star defensive lineman Peter Woods and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star rising junior defensive end Malik Bryant were the guests of honor, as they watched the proceedings while mingling with Clemson coaches and players.
We can now tell you Bryant (6-3, 225), ranked No. 18 nationally by Rivals.com, trains with a Orlando-based group that produced Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis. So there's familiarity.
That led to Woods (6-2, 276), ranked No. 5 overall, being roped in for introductions.
Swinney's righthand man, Woody McCorvey -- he of extended Alabama background -- spent considerable time talking with Woods' parents.
These visits are about relationships and exposure to your culture. And what both invariably observed was the personality of the players -- especially, in our estimation, K.J. Henry.
Henry exuded charisma and charm in guiding the participating prospects through drills, and that marries well with his profile as the son of a college coach. He'll be a coach one day, too; today, he was an ideal recruiter, we'd opine.
As we noted on the WestZone message board, Clemson also entertained Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic four-star defensive tackle Hero Kanu.
Kanu (6-5, 293) reinforced our impression coming in. He's a thick body who's understandably raw at the position. But there's an easiness in his movement and agility that isn't characteristic among many bodies with his bulk and stature.
Tampa (Fla.) Gaither four-star defensive end Mario Eugenio, Kissimmee(Fla.) Osceola four-star rising junior lineman Derrick LeBlanc and Orlando (Fla.) Ocoee three-star defensive tackle Jordan Phillips also worked out in the group.
On performance alone, we would give Kanu and Phillips higher billing.
=====================================================
We've mentioned that Clemson continues to survey additional candidates at running back this class, while four-stars Branson Robinson and Trevor Etienne are lined up to attend next week's Elite Retreat.
The Tigers got a look Wednesday at a regional four-star perhaps in the conversation.
Midlothian (Va.) Manchester four-star Ramon Brown worked out for running backs coach C.J. Spiller.
Brown (5-11, 201) profiles as a back probably closer to the mold for what they had in Wisconsin transfer Chez Mellusi.
He reportedly has visits lined up to South Carolina, Penn State and Maryland this month.
Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater rising junior Cedric Baxter, a former FSU commitment, also competed. Our initial takeaway was question as to whether Baxter might project more as a receiver based on body type.
=====================================================
Among others who didn't work out where Hays (Kan.) new linebacker offer Jaren Kanak and Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips four-star rising junior offensive lineman Payton Kirkland.
Kanak observed and appeared to take some mental reps in preparation for working out this afternoon.
Kirkland wore a big brace on his left leg and watched the activities from a golf cart as his parents toured the facility. We are told he injured his knee at UGA yesterday.
=====================================================
Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake rising junior four-star corner offer Avieon Terrell headlined the defensive back group. Terrell was limited by some soreness, and we're not sure he went through 1-on-1s as a result.
While a handful of other name DBs were on hand, the two who caught our eye were Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville safety Jayden Sweeney and Coppell (Texas) rising junior Braxton Myers.
Myers (6-0, 190) has offers from Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech.
We can tell you Clemson has multiple connections there should it get involved.
Sweeney (6-0, 175) has picked up offers this spring from Duke, Coastal Carolina and other Sun Belt programs.
=====================================================
A couple of other odds and ends ...
*** The offensive linemen who stood out most was Clearwater (Fla.) Academy junior Lucas Simmons. Simmons (6-7, 300) is another international import (Sweden) with a long, lean frame to pack on considerable mass as he fills out.
*** At quarterback, Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood four-star Dylan Lonergan distinguished himself among the pool of candidates, which included Spartanburg (S.C.)'s Raheim Jeter and Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley's DQ Smith.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
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