Tag: Clemson spring game

Gallery from Clemson’s 2024 Orange and White spring game

Here is a look at the best pictures from Clemson football’s 2024 spring game.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program held another successful spring game on Saturday.

Veteran Tigers and new Tigers alike showed the Clemson crowd what they are capable of as they prepare for the 2024 season. There were some excellent performances from freshmen, primarily the Tigers’ top recruit on offense, Bryant Wesco, and on defense, Sammy Brown. The two top recruits played the part, showing everyone what impact they could make for this team next season.

It was a competitive matchup, though the Orange team took down the White team 27-12, with some big plays on both sides of the ball playing a factor. From the day came some excellent pictures. Here is a gallery of all the best photos from the Orange and White spring game.

Cade Klubnik shares injury update after Clemson’s spring game

Klubnik updated his injury status following the Tigers’ spring game.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program had a successful 2024 Orange and White spring game, with veteran Tigers showing their improvement and freshmen taking advantage of their first opportunity to shine in a Clemson uniform.

Clemson’s starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik, injured his ankle during the fourth quarter of the game. Luckily for Tigers fans, Klubnik labeled the injury as a tweak and nothing serious.

“It is fine,” Klubnik said. “I just tweaked it a little bit. It is nothing bad at all. I planted it a little bit weird, throwing it to my right. I just did not step right. But it is all good.”

After a slow start to the spring game, Klubnik looked better down the stretch and showed some signs of improvement. He completed 13 of 26 for 158 yards with an interception.

Observations from Clemson’s offense in 2024 spring game

Here are some observations on the offense from Clemson’s 2024 spring game.

Clemson’s 2024 spring game is officially in the books. The Orange team defeated the White team, 27-12, in Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers had plenty of highlights on both offense and defense. Let’s look at the offense.

Wesco shows off

Bryant Wesco looked every bit the part of a five-star recruit in Saturday’s spring game. Wesco, ranked the sixth-best receiver in the nation by 247Sports for the class of 2024, made three catches for 26 yards.

Wesco, playing for the Orange team, caught a short pass over the middle and picked up 15 yards for a first down on his first catch of the afternoon.

Two plays later, Wesco did one even better by hauling in an over-the-shoulder, 9-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Trent Pearman. Wesco made the catch in tight coverage on a fade route for the Orange team’s first score of the game and a 7-3 lead with 1:31 to play in the first quarter.

Quarterback play

Speaking of Pearman, he was his own storyline in Saturday’s spring game. The sophomore from nearby D.W. Daniel High School in Clemson finished the afternoon an impressive 10-for-13 with 113 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Pearman engineered the scoring drive that ended with Wesco’s touchdown catch by capping a five-play, 57-yard drive.

One of the most impressive plays of the day was when Pearman took off for a 49-yard touchdown run on a read-option play with 3:45 to play in the first half.

Later in the game, Pearman made a nice throw intended for receiver Jackson Crosby in the corner of the end zone. It took a terrific defensive play from cornerback Noah Dixon to break up the pass with 3:07 to play.

Cade Klubnik got off to a poor start but rebounded for a decent showing at Saturday’s game. Klubnik finished his day 13-of-26 for 158 yards.

He was intercepted by cornerback Tavoy Feagin in the first quarter when receiver Adam Randall ran the wrong route. Feagin returned the interception 45 yards to set up the game’s first score, a 29-yard Nolan Hauser field goal for the White team.

Klubnik was fortunate to only throw the one pick. He uncorked a pass into double coverage later in the first quarter, but a dropped interception bailed Klubnik out on the ill-advised throw.

There were some highlights for Klubnik, though. He converted on a 3rd-and-12 midway through the second quarter when he found Antonio Williams on a short route to his right. That led to an impressive 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took 7:10 off the clock and put Klubnik’s team ahead 21-6 with 5:42 left in the first half.

On Klubnik’s next drive, tight end Olsen Patt-Henry dropped what would have been a first down for the Orange team.

Later on in the game, Randall hauled in a perfect 55-yard strike from Klubnik on the final play of the third quarter.

Christopher Vizzina, who started at quarterback for the White team, was a pedestrian 14-of-25 for 108 yards and two touchdowns. His biggest mistake early on came when Jamal Anderson intercepted an attempted screen pass and returned it 25 yards for a pick six.

Later in the first half, Vizzina was picked off again by Anderson, but the play was negated by an offsides penalty.

Vizzina’s second official interception came with time winding down in the third quarter. On that play, Vizzina made a throw to the wrong side of a wheel route that led to an interception from Jahiem Lawson at the Orange team’s 2-yard line.

It wasn’t just Wesco who stood out at receiver

Clemson had a few standout performances from its receivers in Saturday’s scrimmage. Josh Sapp had three catches for 60 yards. The sophomore from Greenville made a sensational play when he leapt well into the air to haul in a 39-yard pass from Vizzina over two defenders in the third quarter.

Randall had 85 receiving yards through the air on four catches, including his 55-yard grab to end the third quarter. Randall also made a terrific catch as part of the first-quarter scoring drive that ended with Wesco’s touchdown.

Williams, sidelined for much of last season due to injuries, made a nice return to the field in the spring game. He caught five of seven targets for 62 yards, including a 19-yard reception.

Observations from Clemson’s defense in 2024 spring game

Here are some defensive observations from Clemson’s 2024 spring game.

Clemson’s 2024 spring game featured plenty of takeaways as the Orange team defeated the White team, 27-12, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

With the obvious caveat that it’s only a spring game, Sammy Brown did nothing to live down the hype. The highly touted recruit, who was named the best linebacker in the nation and 12th-best player overall in the class of 2024, made the first standout play of the day on defense when he rushed off the edge and made what would have been a sack on Cade Klubnik.

Brown, playing for the White team, finished the day with eight total tackles, including his first-quarter sack of Klubnik. He tied with Wade Woodaz, who tied Brown with six solo tackles.

Sophomore Jamal Anderson also impressed for Clemson’s linebacking corps, which is looking for help after Jeremiah Trotter Jr. declared for the NFL Draft. Anderson, playing for the Orange team, made a pick six off a pass from Christopher Vizzina.

Anderson leapt in the air just a few feet in front of Vizzina for a 25-yard score that gave the Orange team a 14-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Later in the first half, Anderson picked off Vizzina again but the play was negated by an offsides penalty called against the orange team.

At halftime, with the Orange team leading 21-12, coach Dabo Swinney gave special recognition to Anderson’s play by saying that his interception return for a touchdown was the biggest play of the first half.

A.J. Hoffler (Orange team) was credited with the second sack of the afternoon, and the first for the white team. He and Jahiem Lawson, the younger brother of former Clemson standout Shaq Lawson, both looked very quick off the edge in Saturday’s game.

Up front, defensive tackle Stephiylan Green was impressed with six tackles. He was credited with four sacks in the stat sheet.

Cornerback Shelton Lewis (Orange team) had a terrific day in the secondary.

Noah Dixon (White team) had a nice break-up on a pass intended for Jackson Crosby when Trent Pearman threw a pass into the corner of the end zone with 3:07 to play.

Five-star freshman linebacker Sammy Brown’s sack on his first-ever snap in Clemson uniform

Five-star freshman linebacker Sammy Brown recorded a sack on his first snap in a Clemson uniform.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program did a fantastic job recruiting their 2024 class and it was evident in the play of five-star freshman linebacker Sammy Brown. 

Of all Clemson’s recruits in the 2024 class, none received more hype and notoriety than Brown. Expectations are high for Brown, who could step into a huge role in Clemson’s defense with former Tigers’ star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. departing for the 2024 NFL draft. Star linebacker Barrett Carter remains with the program, but Clemson’s defense still has a big hole to fill. 

With his play so far in the Tigers Orange and White spring game on Saturday, Brown definitely looks like he could be the guy to fill that vacancy. The stud freshman linebacker recorded a sack on his first snap in a Clemson uniform. It was an awesome play to see and will surely have Clemson fans excited for his future. 

It’s Game Day: Orange vs. White Rosters for 2024 Clemson Tigers Spring Game

Clemson Tigers Football: Here’s a look at all the players who will appear at 2024 Orange vs. White spring game Saturday at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Game day for Clemson’s 2024 spring game is officially here.

The Tigers’ annual Orange vs. White game will begin at 1 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.

In what will be the 16th spring game under coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers will have no shortage of intrigue and interest surrounding the players who will take the field at Memorial Stadium.

Cade Klubnik returns for his second season as starter, and the Tigers feature one of the nation’s best linebackers in Barrett Carter.

There’s also incoming freshmen that fans will get their first looks at, including five-star recruits like wide receiver Bryant Wesco and linebacker Sammy Brown.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will serve as head coach of the orange team in Saturday’s scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will serve as head coach of the white team.

Swinney had a special message for fans in his final meeting with the media ahead of Saturday’s game.

“Man, I really hope they’ll show up and we’ll have a great crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s free, it is a very meaningful opportunity for us as a program, and our fans always show up. For a lot of these midyears (players), this is a big moment because the next time they actually play, the scoreboard’s going to be lit up.

“So this is a great opportunity to try to hopefully create that game feeling for some of these guys. And then we’ve got some guys that are getting a lot more opportunity as your team changes every year and you start over.”

With that, here’s a look at the rosters for Saturday’s spring game.

Orange Team

Coaches: Garrett Riley (head coach), Tyler Grisham, Mickey Conn, Chris Rumph, Matt Luke

Quarterbacks: Cade Klubnik, Trent Pearman, Colby Shaw

Running backs: Phil Mafah, Jarvis Green, Peyton Streko, Tristen Rigby, Kevin McNeal

Wide receivers: Bryant Wesco, Antonio Williams, Charlie Johnson, Adam Randall, Jackson Crosby, Joseph Flesch, Clay Swinney, Blackmon Huckabee, Jr.

Tight ends: Jake Briningstool, Olsen Patt-Henry, Banks Pope

Offensive linemen: Tristan Leigh, Marcus Tate, Will Boggs, Harris Sewell, Ryan Linthicum, Bryce Smith, Collin Sadler, Blake Miller, Nathan Brooks, Watson Miller, Sam Judy

Defensive ends: A.J. Hoffler, Zaire Patterson, Jahiem Lawson, Armon Mason

Defensive tackles: Payton Page, Jaheim Scott, Stephiylan Green, Champ Thompson, Peyton Pitts

Linebackers: Barrett Carter, Dee Crayton, Reed Morrissey, Jamal Anderson, Fletcher Cothran, Philippe Kabasele

Cornerbacks: Corian Gipson, Shelton Lewis, Myles Oliver, Branden Strozie

Safeties: Kylon Griffin, Bubba McAtee, Tyler Venables, Joe Wilkinson, Caleb Nix, Peter Nearn, Walt Smith, Sherrod Covil Jr.

Special teams: Robert Gunn III (K), Quinn Castner (K), Jack Smith (P), Holden Caspersen (LS)

White Team

Coaches: Wed Goodwin (head coach), Mike Reed, Kyle Richardson, C.J. Spiller, Nick Eason

Quarterbacks: Christopher Vizzina, Trent Pearman

Running backs: Keith Adams Jr., David Eziomume, Wise Segars Jr.

Wide receivers: Misun Kelley, Hampton Earle, Ronan Hanafin, Tristan Martinez, Zach Jackson, Jack Purkerson, Chase Byrd, Clay Swinney

Tight ends: Josh Sapp, Marcus Dixon

Offensive linemen: Ian Reed, Mason Johnstone, Elyjah Thurmon, Dietrick Pennington, Harris Sewell, Jake Norris, Trent Howard, Zack Owens, Jackson Hall, Chapman Pendergrass, Mason Wade, Dominic Cordone

Defensive ends: T.J. Parker, Cade Denhoff, Levi Mathews, Adam Kissayi

Defensive tackles: Caden Story, Tre Williams, DeMonte Capehart, Patrick Swygert

Linebackers: Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, Chandler McMaster, Kobe McCloud, Griffin Batt

Cornerbacks: Austin Randall, Tavoy Feagin, Avieon Terrell, Michael Mankaka

Safeties: Khalil Barnes, R.J. Mickens, Jacob Hendricks, Kylen Webb, Noah Dixon, Boston Miller, Robert Billings

Special teams: Nolan Hauser (PK), Hogan Morton (PK), Aidan Swanson (P), Will McCune (P) Philip Florenzo (LS)

All eyes on Bryant Wesco at Clemson spring game

Freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco, a five-star recruit from Texas, is generating some of the most buzz this spring.

Saturday will mark the 16th spring game of the Dabo Swinney era at Clemson, and as with every game before it, fans will have a lot to keep their eyes on.

Generating some of the most buzz this spring is highly touted freshman receiver Bryant Wesco, a five-star recruit from Midlothian, Texas. Wesco was ranked the No. 6 receiver in the nation in 247 Sports’ composite rankings for the class of 2024.

He has drawn no shortage of praise from teammates and coaches alike. Swinney has praised the 6’2, 170-pound athlete for his poise and maturity.

“Poise and maturity are rare for a young kid. He’s obviously very talented,” Swinney said of Wesco earlier this spring. “You see a lot of kids that are talented, but they don’t have the mindset or the maturity to go with it. He does. That’s encouraging because all the rest of this stuff, he’ll get better at.”

After Wesco fumbled a ball during one practice, Swinney quipped that he’d had to relish a rare opportunity to yell at the potential star. “Then he comes right back, makes a couple of great plays,” Swinney noted.

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley praised Wesco for his ability to quickly adapt to his environment after enrolling at the school in January.

“Bryant’s done a nice job,” Riley told The Clemson Insider last week. “Anytime as a freshman, the whole thing is just: can you handle mentally? And then just the grind, the speed of the game, the transitioning at his position at receiver.

“He’s been able to mentally handle things, and I think he’s a guy that’s transitioned really well with the speed of the game. The moment’s not too big for him. He just feels like that type of player to me. I’m very pleased with his start.”

Wesco will be paired with starting quarterback Cade Klubnik and fellow receivers Adam Randall and Antonio Williams (among others), as well as tight end Jake Briningstool on the Orange team at Saturday’s spring game.

Wesco’s development is especially important for a Clemson program that has struggled to develop receivers since the team’s run of six straight College Football Playoff appearances. The Tigers haven’t had a player finish with 1,000 receiving yards in a season since Amari Rodgers in 2020.

That’s a long drought for a school that prided itself on being “Wide Receiver U” after such stars as DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, Justyn Ross, and Hunter Renfrow — all Swinney players.

The Tigers are hoping that Wesco will join that set of decorated players.

“He’ll get bigger, he’ll get stronger, he’ll work at it. He’ll learn some other positions. All that stuff will come in the bigger picture of things, but he’s just a poised kid that’s tough and likes to play, likes to be coached. He’s just got the maturity to match the talent,” Swinney said.

Saturday’s Orange vs. White game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. EDT from Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast/streamed on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.

Dabo Swinney on Clemson’s spring game: ‘I will say this to our fans. Man, I really hope they’ll show up, and we’ll have a great crowd’

Dabo Swinney wants Clemson fans to show up and show out for the Tigers’ spring game.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have a huge weekend ahead of them; the Orange and White spring game.

Spring game’s are crucial for college football programs for a few reasons. Obviously it’s great experience for veterans and new players, but that experience goes beyond just the players. It’s about the fans as well.

With the fans there and showing out, it gives new players a true feel of what a game-time atmosphere can be like. Knowing this, Swinney has a message for Clemson fans.

“I will say this to our fans — man, I really hope they’ll show up and we’ll have a great crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s free, but it is a very meaningful opportunity for us as a program, and our fans always show up.”

“For a lot of these midyears, this is a big moment because the next time they actually play, the scoreboard’s going to be lit up,” Swinney said. “So, this is a great opportunity to try to hopefully create that game feeling for some of these guys. And then we’ve got some guys that are getting a lot more opportunity as your team changes every year and you start over.”

There are no lies here; the more fans that are there, the more the Tigers will benefit from it. Creating an atmosphere that feels like a Saturday during the season is an experience some players need. If you can’t make it, the game will be 1 p.m. Saturday and available on ACCNX/ESPN+.

Dabo Swinney on Clemson’s spring game: ‘I will say this to our fans. Man, I really hope they’ll show up, and we’ll have a great crowd’

Dabo Swinney wants Clemson fans to show up and show out for the Tigers’ spring game.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have a huge weekend ahead of them; the Orange and White spring game.

Spring game’s are crucial for college football programs for a few reasons. Obviously it’s great experience for veterans and new players, but that experience goes beyond just the players. It’s about the fans as well.

With the fans there and showing out, it gives new players a true feel of what a game-time atmosphere can be like. Knowing this, Swinney has a message for Clemson fans.

“I will say this to our fans — man, I really hope they’ll show up and we’ll have a great crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s free, but it is a very meaningful opportunity for us as a program, and our fans always show up.”

“For a lot of these midyears, this is a big moment because the next time they actually play, the scoreboard’s going to be lit up,” Swinney said. “So, this is a great opportunity to try to hopefully create that game feeling for some of these guys. And then we’ve got some guys that are getting a lot more opportunity as your team changes every year and you start over.”

There are no lies here; the more fans that are there, the more the Tigers will benefit from it. Creating an atmosphere that feels like a Saturday during the season is an experience some players need. If you can’t make it, the game will be 1 p.m. Saturday and available on ACCNX/ESPN+.

Clemson’s Orange and White spring game has long list of players who won’t play

Clemson’s spring game will be without multiple key Tigers.

The Clemson football program will hold its Orange and White scrimmage on Saturday, with the team rosters being released on Wednesday.

Spring games are always a great time, and in Clemson, it is truly a special occasion. The fans really do an excellent job of making it special, showing up in big numbers, and making Clemson Memorial Stadium feel like that game day feeling, which is huge for the players.

After practice Wednesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinny shared a list of players who won’t be participating in the game. Unfortunately, the numbers of expected key players who will miss the game is large. Here’s who won’t be playing:

  • Junior cornerback Jeadyn Lukus
  • Freshman cornerback Corian Gipson
  • Freshman safety Ricardo Jones
  • Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cole Turner
  • Redshirt freshman wide receiver Noble Johnson
  • Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Brown
  • Redshirt junior wide receiver Troy Stellato
  • Redshirt senior (graduate) offensive lineman Walker Parks
  • Freshman offensive lineman Ronan O’Connell
  • Redshirt freshman running back Jay Haynes
  • Sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods
  • Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Vic Burley

Clemson’s Orange and White game takes place Saturday at 1pm on ACCNX/ESPN+.