Clemson practiced in the stadium this morning and early afternoon. A few of the important takeaways:
-- Boy was it hot today inside the stadium (and everywhere else around him). Dabo Swinney seemed happy after a few mild days on the Jervey practice fields, saying "this is what we needed after Kool-Aid camp."
-- Normally in the first big scrimmage one side owns things. That wasn't the case today. The defense dominated early, and the offense found its footing late.
-- Cade Denhoff had a pick-6 off Cade Klubnik. People are naturally going to freak out about that. It was a zone-blitz, with Denhoff dropping back into a hook zone. Klubnik never saw him, and Denhoff made a nice catch before taking it to the house.
-- Otherwise Klubnik looked good from all the accounts we received. Cole Turner and Jake Briningstool had the best days receiving. Tyler Brown also flashed in a pretty big way.
-- Jeadyn Lukus left his mark on this scrimmage. Totally blew up Sage Ennis.
But one of the reasons he blew him up was the perimeter blocking wasn't there. Dabo called out Turner and Beaux Collins for lacking in that area today. He said all these receivers simply have to get the message that what you do without the ball is just as important as what you do with it.
-- Jeremiah Trotter has been nursing a hamstring injury and they're holding him for precautionary reasons. I know this news will elevate blood pressure. But everyone I talk to indicates this is not a long-term concern.
The positive of Trotter's absence is Wade Woodaz is getting a lot of run at the MIKE spot.
-- Dabo said they could go through a couple weeks of the season before settling on a starting five on the OL. But he says that's not a problem because he has eight guys he believes are starter-quality right now.
I followed up with him afterward on who the sixth, seventh and eighth guys would be and he mentioned Collin Sadler, Mitchell Mayes, Trent Howard and even Ryan Linthicum.
He said they're legitimately 11-deep with guys he'd have no problem playing at any time of a game.
-- He said Troy Stellato could be back next week, but who knows.
"That kid can play. But I'm tired of talking about him. If he can get back, he can compete with everyone out there."
-- Xavier Thomas had a big day today, Dabo said. He also continued to rave about TJ Parker. He also said AJ Hoffler might be as good a pass rusher as they have from a technical standpoint.
-- With Hunter Helms out, Dabo said Paul Tyson is the clear No. 2 behind Klubnik. That's why they brought him here. Said the plan is still to redshirt Christopher Vizzina. Obviously that would change if something happened to Klubnik.
Said Helms' injury isn't long-term. He lamented his absence because he said he wanted to see Helms and Tyson compete.
Trent Pearman looked really good today. Dabo said he might've engineered the best drive of the day. Sparked the offense. Loves his moxie. He just makes plays.
-- Robert Gunn hit one from 60 today. And this followed one that Dabo said would've been good from 70 yesterday after Dabo told the team practice was over if Gunn could kick one over the camera tower.
Gunn grooved it well over the camera guy's head, Dabo said.
-- Just want to reiterate about Klubnik: There's a good feeling about him right now within the program. Not just from the head man, but plenty others.
We'll have plenty more later today and tomorrow.
NOTE: Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other message boards or social media, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws. Thank you!
LINK: New Clemson Nike Zoom Pegasus 40 Running Shoes!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday afternoon!
-- Boy was it hot today inside the stadium (and everywhere else around him). Dabo Swinney seemed happy after a few mild days on the Jervey practice fields, saying "this is what we needed after Kool-Aid camp."
-- Normally in the first big scrimmage one side owns things. That wasn't the case today. The defense dominated early, and the offense found its footing late.
-- Cade Denhoff had a pick-6 off Cade Klubnik. People are naturally going to freak out about that. It was a zone-blitz, with Denhoff dropping back into a hook zone. Klubnik never saw him, and Denhoff made a nice catch before taking it to the house.
-- Otherwise Klubnik looked good from all the accounts we received. Cole Turner and Jake Briningstool had the best days receiving. Tyler Brown also flashed in a pretty big way.
-- Jeadyn Lukus left his mark on this scrimmage. Totally blew up Sage Ennis.
But one of the reasons he blew him up was the perimeter blocking wasn't there. Dabo called out Turner and Beaux Collins for lacking in that area today. He said all these receivers simply have to get the message that what you do without the ball is just as important as what you do with it.
-- Jeremiah Trotter has been nursing a hamstring injury and they're holding him for precautionary reasons. I know this news will elevate blood pressure. But everyone I talk to indicates this is not a long-term concern.
The positive of Trotter's absence is Wade Woodaz is getting a lot of run at the MIKE spot.
-- Dabo said they could go through a couple weeks of the season before settling on a starting five on the OL. But he says that's not a problem because he has eight guys he believes are starter-quality right now.
I followed up with him afterward on who the sixth, seventh and eighth guys would be and he mentioned Collin Sadler, Mitchell Mayes, Trent Howard and even Ryan Linthicum.
He said they're legitimately 11-deep with guys he'd have no problem playing at any time of a game.
-- He said Troy Stellato could be back next week, but who knows.
"That kid can play. But I'm tired of talking about him. If he can get back, he can compete with everyone out there."
-- Xavier Thomas had a big day today, Dabo said. He also continued to rave about TJ Parker. He also said AJ Hoffler might be as good a pass rusher as they have from a technical standpoint.
-- With Hunter Helms out, Dabo said Paul Tyson is the clear No. 2 behind Klubnik. That's why they brought him here. Said the plan is still to redshirt Christopher Vizzina. Obviously that would change if something happened to Klubnik.
Said Helms' injury isn't long-term. He lamented his absence because he said he wanted to see Helms and Tyson compete.
Trent Pearman looked really good today. Dabo said he might've engineered the best drive of the day. Sparked the offense. Loves his moxie. He just makes plays.
-- Robert Gunn hit one from 60 today. And this followed one that Dabo said would've been good from 70 yesterday after Dabo told the team practice was over if Gunn could kick one over the camera tower.
Gunn grooved it well over the camera guy's head, Dabo said.
-- Just want to reiterate about Klubnik: There's a good feeling about him right now within the program. Not just from the head man, but plenty others.
We'll have plenty more later today and tomorrow.
NOTE: Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other message boards or social media, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws. Thank you!
LINK: New Clemson Nike Zoom Pegasus 40 Running Shoes!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday afternoon!
