Tag: Clemson Tigers

Etienne is in good spirits

Dabo Swinney said he has spoken with Travis Etienne in the last few days, and the former Clemson running back is doing fine. Etienne, who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, will miss the 2021 season after he …

Dabo Swinney said he has spoken with Travis Etienne in the last few days, and the former Clemson running back is doing fine.

Etienne, who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, will miss the 2021 season after he injured his foot this past Monday night in a preseason game in New Orleans. The following day, the Jags placed him on their injured reserve list.

“He is in good spirits. I had the seniors over Tuesday… But I talked to him when the seniors were over there and a couple of guys were on the phone with him, too. He is in good spirits,” Swinney said.

Etienne suffered a significant tear in his foot, which resulted in a Lisfranc injury.

“It is just unfortunate,” Swinney said. “But he has a long career ahead. He will bounce back. That is just part of the game. I hate it for him, but he will be fine.”

Tiger fans were hoping to see Etienne and former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence play in Jacksonville this season after both were selected by the Jaguars in the first round of the draft. Lawrence was taken No. 1 overall, while Etienne went No. 25 in the first round.

“I think he’s handling it well,” Lawrence said of Etienne’s injury. “Obviously that sucks. I’ve played with him, this will be the fourth year, and I have never seen him hurt. This is like the first serious injury of his playing career.

“So, it’s tough. He’s handling it great. But just trying to support him and just keep him locked in obviously. Because he’ll be out physically, but this will be a really good time mentally to make sure he’s learning everything and getting ahead, so when he does come back, it makes it that much easier for him. But he’s doing really well. Obviously, it’s tough, that injury, especially right before the season starts. But he’s going to be good.”

Etienne finished his Clemson career as the ACC’s all-time leader in rushing yards, with 4,952 yards. He also set the conference’s all-time mark in rushing touchdowns (70), total touchdowns (78) and points (468).

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Intel from Clemson’s Beanie Bowl

Clemson held its dress rehearsal for next Saturday’s season opener against Georgia with the annual Beanie Bowl at Memorial Stadium on Friday afternoon. The event was closed to the public other than students, who were invited to watch by Clemson …

Clemson held its dress rehearsal for next Saturday’s season opener against Georgia with the annual Beanie Bowl at Memorial Stadium on Friday afternoon. The event was closed to the public other than students, who were invited to watch by Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

Here’s some intel from the event, which featured full pads and limited contact, from some eyes and ears in attendance:

  • The first group to run out at the skill positions on offense featured the following players: quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, running back Kobe Pace, tight end Braden Galloway, boundary wide receiver Justyn Ross, field wide receiver Frank Ladson and E.J. Williams in the slot.
  • On the offensive line, the Tigers featured left tackle Jordan McFadden, left guard Marcus Tate, center Matt Bockhorst, right guard Will Putnam and right tackle Walker Parks with the first group.
  • There were several other looks in the first series for the first group of wide receivers on offense, including Ajou Ajou at boundary receiver, Joseph Ngata at field and boundary, Ladson at boundary and Ross at field.
  • The second running back was Will Shipley, who got a lot of carries over the course of the day and showcased his speed and quickness. All of the running backs got work in the scrimmage except for senior Lyn-J Dixon, but Dixon was dressed out.
  • Mason Trotter ran out second at center as Bockhorst slid over to guard. Hunter Rayburn worked in limited action at center.
  • Uiagalelei hurled a long touchdown pass to Ross down the sideline for a touchdown on the first series.
  • Uiagalelei also threw a 20-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Ajou.
  • Beaux Collins showcased his return to good health with plenty of reps at slot receiver.
  • The first group on the defensive line featured defensive end Xavier Thomas, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, defensive tackle Tyler Davis and defensive end Myles Murphy.
  • The linebacker unit ran out James Skalski at middle linebacker with Baylon Spector at weak side linebacker and Trenton Simpson at strong side backer.
  • In the secondary, Mario Goodrich and Sheridan Jones played corner with Andrew Mukuba and Landen Zanders at safety.
  • Super senior safety Nolan Turner was not dressed but he did not look to be in any discomfort.
  • The second group on the defensive line featured defensive end K.J. Henry, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, defensive tackle Tre Williams and defensive end Justin Mascoll.
  • LaVonta Bentley worked at middle linebacker with Jake Venables working at middle and weak-side backer.
  • Malcom Greene played a lot of nickelback.
  • Mukuba intercepted reserve quarterback Billy Wiles at one point with plenty of room to run before the play was blown dead.
  • Tyler Davis also had an interception of Wiles with room to run on a deflection by Ohorhoro.
  • Tyler Venables had perhaps the most impressive play of the scrimmage with a one-handed interception.
  • Shipley was back deep on kickoff return with Kobe Pace and Darien Rencher in front of him.
  • Will Taylor returned most of the punts during the scrimmage.
  • The usual special-teams suspects started with B.T. Potter at kicker, Will Swinney at holder and Will Spiers at punter.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Mac Lain excited for future matchups for Tigers in ‘Alliance’

This past week commissioners from the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 announced the formation of a historic alliance between the three conferences. The formal announcement did not include specific terms of the alliance but featured talk of future …

This past week commissioners from the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 announced the formation of a historic alliance between the three conferences.

The formal announcement did not include specific terms of the alliance but featured talk of future scheduling.

“Τhe football scheduling alliance will feature additional attractive matchups across the three conferences while continuing to honor historic rivalries and the best traditions of college football,” the statement released on Tuesday said.

Former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain hopped into the conversation on the alliance Thursday after the Tigers’ practice at the fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex.

The ACC Network analyst visited practice in conjunction with the networks ACC Football Road Show and shared the matchups he wants for Clemson with schools in the Pac-12.

“Oregon was really good in my career so that would have been fun to go there and host them here,” Mac Lain said. “I think when you think of big name brands it would be fun to play USC and to see over there in LA and what they’ve got going on.”

Mac Lain played on the offensive line for the Tigers from 2011-15 and served as a captain on the first team to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2015. He’s excited to see how the alliance contributes to the evolving nature of college football with Clemson at the center.

“It’s going to be really fun to see which way college football goes, it’s an ever changing landscape,” he said. “The only thing that’s important for this area is that Clemson is going to be square in the middle of all of it, there’s no question.”

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Podcast: Can Uiagalelei break Watson’s single-season records?

Levon Kirkland and myself take a look at Clemson and the ACC, and give our bold predictions for the Tigers and the rest of the conference for the 2021 season. Which Tigers will have the most catches, yards and touchdowns, and is D.J. Uiagalelei the …

Levon Kirkland and myself take a look at Clemson and the ACC, and give our bold predictions for the Tigers and the rest of the conference for the 2021 season.

Which Tigers will have the most catches, yards and touchdowns, and is D.J. Uiagalelei the guy who can break Deshaun Watson’s single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns?

Stephanie Otey, host for The Action Network, joins us to talk about the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 Alliance. As someone who has covered the Big Ten, she also breaks down Ohio State, the College Football Playoff and who she thinks will win the national championship.

You can listen to today’s podcast here (LINK), or listen to it and download it where you listen to all of your podcasts at either Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.

Swinney touts Clemson’s OL depth

Inconsistencies across the offensive line culminated in a disappointing end to Clemson’s 2020 campaign. Heading into the 2021 season, while the offensive line isn’t a position of concern, it’s certainly a group worth monitoring as the season …

Inconsistencies across the offensive line culminated in a disappointing end to Clemson’s 2020 campaign.

Heading into the 2021 season, while the offensive line isn’t a position of concern, it’s certainly a group worth monitoring as the season progresses.

Even before the start of the season, Dabo Swinney and Co. have been adamant about finding the best five players across the board. That’s seen players like Matt Bockhorst cross-train at multiple positions throughout spring practice and the duration of fall camp.

Bockhorst started all 12 games for the Tigers last season, seeing a lion-share of his 753 snaps at left guard. Now, the fifth-year senior could be snapping the ball to D.J. Uiagalelei come Sept. 4 against Georgia.

Speaking with reporters during Thursday’s media availability, Swinney agreed that it was “absolutely” beneficial for Bockhorst’s draft stock and the team for him to make the transition to center.

Though, he was merely echoing the same sentiments that Bockhorst made on Tuesday, during his session with reporters.

Swinney acknowledged that Clemson has had Bockhorst do a lot of snapping over the past three years, the Tigers just haven’t played him a ton at the. center position.

“He’s worked it forever,” Swinney said. “There’s a lot of guys that have done that, but there’s no doubt for him, to be able to demonstrate because he’s going to have to play center and guard. For him to demonstrate that he can do that, it’ll definitely benefit him because now you’re a three-position guy, instead of just a guard. He’s certainly got the mentality. He’s got the intelligence that you need. He’ll play both (guard and center) throughout the season for sure.”

Swinney was then asked about Clemson’s offensive line depth, which has also been a storyline worth monitoring. Reserve offensive lineman Tayquon Johnson underwent surgery earlier this month after tearing his pectoral muscle, additionally, Swinney announced that John Williams will be out for the season after also undergoing surgery. 

Even with that, Swinney’s seemingly confident in the group Clemson will head into the season with.

“I think we have nine guys today that I feel good about,” he said. “I think we’re very functional, I think we’re there at 10-11.”

Swinney said that the Tigers have a No. 10 guy that’s right there. He’s not quite ready for where they want him to be for the Georgia game, but he’s right there. Swinney added that the No. 11 guy is also “pretty close too.”

He reiterated that he feels “pretty good” about the depth of the group heading into next Saturday’s matchup against Georgia.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

‘Even Georgia had to take a peek’  

When they hear Clemson and Georgia are playing in football, some college football fans will reminisce about the battles the two programs had in the late 1970s and ’80s. They will talk about Herschel Walker, Terry Kinard, Kevin Butler and David …

When they hear Clemson and Georgia are playing in football, some college football fans will reminisce about the battles the two programs had in the late 1970s and ‘80s.

They will talk about Herschel Walker, Terry Kinard, Kevin Butler and David Treadwell. They will talk about Vice Dooley and Danny Ford and all the legendary players who have played in this game.

They will tell you how Clemson and Georgia do not like each other and how this game should be played every year.

Of course, in recent history, when Clemson fans talk about Georgia, they talk about the 2013 meeting at Death Valley. And it has nothing to do with the fact it was the first ever top 10 matchup between the rivals or that Clemson won an epic of a game, 38-35.

Most probably cannot tell you who won the game. However, what they can remember, especially those watching on television, was ABC’s coverage of Clemson’s entrance into Memorial Stadium that night.

On Saturdays in the fall, when they are playing at home, the Tigers will leave their dressing room on the west side of Memorial Stadium and board several buses who then drive them to the east side of the stadium where they unload and gather at the top of the hill just moments before completing “The Most Exciting 25 Seconds in College Football.”

That is what longtime sportscaster Brent Musburger nicknamed Clemson’s running down the Hill prior to the 1985 Clemson-Georgia game. After touching Hall of Fame head coach Frank Howard’s famous rock. The Tigers can only touch Howard’s Rock if they promise to give 110-percent before pouring into the stadium.

It is one of the most unique scenes and traditions in college football, and it is one ABC documented to perfection prior to the 2013 game against Georgia.

“It was like a six-minute infomercial with Brent Musburger narrating it. It was incredible,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “We did not really know how it was going to turn out. It was literally like six minutes of just an infomercial. It was an amazing moment and coming down the hill.

“I remember the Dawgs came and met us at the hill and Brent Musburger had a comment about that, he had some funny comment.”

Musburger, as he always does, summed up the moment perfectly.

“Even Georgia had to take a peek,” he said.

The atmosphere that night at Death Valley was electric, and its one any college football fan, not just Georgia and Clemson fans, will not forget.

“It was just a really, really cool moment. And certainly, anybody that was wanting to watch that game, they just had to sit there and take it in. So, it was a pretty special way to capture such a unique tradition in college football.”

And, by the way, the game was not too bad, either.

Everyone can only hope next Saturday’s season opener between the two in Charlotte will be the same.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Jaguars excited for Lawrence era

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer officially announced Trevor Lawrence as the team’s starting quarterback on Wednesday. Following the announcement Jacksonville fired off a series of tweets hyping up the start of the Lawrence era. Check out this video …

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer officially announced Trevor Lawrence as the team’s starting quarterback on Wednesday.

Following the announcement Jacksonville fired off a series of tweets hyping up the start of the Lawrence era.

Check out this video of highlights from his performance in the team’s second preseason game on Tuesday night. Lawrence completed 20 of 32 passes for 184 yards in the Jaguars first two preseason games.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Foster hoping to show NFL scouts that he can ‘do it’

After stepping away from the game of football, Justin Foster didn’t know what his future entailed. Foster was unable to perform everyday activities following complications related to asthma and COVID-19. His dream of reaching the NFL would have to …

After stepping away from the game of football, Justin Foster didn’t know what his future entailed.

Foster was unable to perform everyday activities following complications related to asthma and COVID-19.

His dream of reaching the NFL would have to be put on hold. He had to get past his asthma attacks before he could even think about stepping back on a football field again.

After a long, frustrating road back from recovery, he’s back.

Now, those thoughts about a future in the game can persist.

“I’ve played all my life. That’s the goal, in the end, to make it to the league” Foster told reporters during Tuesday evening’s media availability. “If I get the opportunity, I will take it. That’s kind of how I look at it. I’m just gonna bust my tail every day and if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it and do the best I can.”

With that being said, what is Foster hoping that he can show NFL scouts, now that he’s back in the fold?

“I’d just like to show that I can do it,” he said. “I guess there’s been a lot of questions if he can actually come back and if he can do it if he can work through it with all my medical stuff. Just show them that I’m back and I’m gonna be better than I was.”

With that goal now in reach, Foster finds himself having a newfound appreciation for the game he loves.

Prior to missing the entirety of the 2020 season, Foster recorded 66 career tackles (17.5 for loss) and seven sacks over 39 career games with 13 starts dating from 2017-19. In his first season as a starter, which came back in 2019, he earned an honorable mention All-ACC selection, in addition to garnering All-ACC Academic honors.

Now that he’s feeling like himself again, Foster is hoping to put up those types of accolades to catch the attention of those at the next level.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Tigers have hands full with Georgia’s defensive front

When Clemson and Georgia kick off the season a week from Saturday, it is a game that will be won in the trenches. Yes, that sounds cliché, but in this top 5 matchup, it has never been truer. The fifth-ranked Bulldogs have what is arguably one of the …

When Clemson and Georgia kick off the season a week from Saturday, it is a game that will be won in the trenches.

Yes, that sounds cliché, but in this top 5 matchup, it has never been truer. The fifth-ranked Bulldogs have what is arguably one of the best offensive and defensive line combos in the SEC.

Though the offensive line is a question mark for No. 3 Clemson, the defensive line is considered to be the best in all of college football. So, it is safe to say this will be one of the more physical games this season.

Heading into the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, most wonder if the Tigers can handle Georgia’s defensive front, especially nose tackle Jordan Davis. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound senior is projected to be an All-American and can really cause havoc up front.

Davis will team up with fellow senior Devonte Wyatt. He is just a small guy at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says Georgia’s defensive line is the strength of their defense, much like his defense, as he pointed out the Bulldogs have led the nation in rushing defense in each of the last two seasons.

The opposition averaged just 72.3 yards per game in 2020 and 2.39 yards per carry, which also ranked first nationally.

On the other side, Clemson has a new starter at left tackle, right tackle and center. Jordan McFadden, who started all last year at right tackle, will get the start at left, while sophomore Walker Parks is the new guy at right tackle.

Who the starting center will be is still in question?

Though Swinney will not say it, it appears Matt Bockhorst might be the guy after moving over from left guard. If Bockhorst is the new center, then it means the Tigers will have a new left guard, as well. Freshman Marcus Tate appears to be the likely candidate there.

Going up against a Georgia defensive front that has three seniors and a junior, is going to be a tall task for what looks like a patch-work offensive line for Clemson.

The good news for the Tigers’ new line is the fact they have been going against their own defensive front the last three weeks, so they will be ready for the physicality Davis and company are going to bring.

“Going against the defense we have, we get to go against really good players,” Bockhorst said. “So, it is really nice to be challenged in that fashion early on, so we are not rolling out there against Georgia and kind of having our hands full because we have never seen someone of that caliber.”

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Podcast: Tigers face a tough task in the trenches

There are some that think Georgia is just going to roll right over Clemson in the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff Classic. Levon Kirkland and myself discuss that, as well as breakdown the matchups up front on both the offensive and defensive lines. We also have …

There are some that think Georgia is just going to roll right over Clemson in the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff Classic. Levon Kirkland and myself discuss that, as well as breakdown the matchups up front on both the offensive and defensive lines.

We also have interviews with Clemson offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst and defensive end Justin Foster.

You can listen to today’s podcast here (LINK), or listen to it and download it where you listen to all of your podcasts at either Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.