Commanders add another NFL cornerback to roster

The Commanders add their third cornerback of the week.

Adam Peters signed another cornerback on Thursday.

The new Commanders general manager was able to ink Pittsburgh Steelers free agent corner James Pierre.

Pierre, age 27, was undrafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2020. He was signed by and joined the Steelers in 2020 and has played four seasons in Pittsburgh (2020-23).

It looks like perhaps another depth signing, as Pierre has managed to start only six games in his four seasons in the NFL. He has collected two interceptions and forced three fumbles, recovering one.

It might be helpful to remind Commanders fans that NFL teams can take 90 players on their roster when they go to training camp. Consequently, there will be these types of signings where Adam Peters is attempting to accomplish two things.

He is attempting to do this job to fill the roster with 90 players, providing him with enough camp bodies at each position to fully participate in training camp, scrimmages, and preseason games. He is also attempting to find enough of the type of players who will compete in training camp, wanting to make the roster, even if it means accepting a role of primarily playing special teams.

Pierre’s claim to fame is that his cousin is a well-established quarterback in the NFL. In fact, his cousin was an MVP twice (2019, 2023). His cousin is Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Commanders fans will recall another player from Florida Atlantic who had much success wearing the Burgundy and Gold. Running back Alfred Morris was drafted in the 2012 draft in the sixth round by Washington. He then proceeded to rush for an amazing 1,613 yards while averaging 4.8 yards per carry, rushing for 13 touchdowns and 86 first downs in his rookie season.

Morris followed up his fantastic rookie season with two more consecutive rushing seasons of over 1,000 yards in 2013 (1,275/4.6) and 2014 (1,074/4.1).

Former Florida Atlantic OL Dorian Hinton is currently visiting Texas A&M

Former Florida Atlantic offensive lineman Dorian Hinton is reportedly visiting Texas A&M this weekend.

More offensive line help is potentially on the way. Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko are hosting a bevy of talented veterans from the transfer portal this weekend, already landing 13 players with even commitments yet to be announced.

After the news that former Alabama center and interior offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, who was set to join the visitors list this weekend, would instead transfer to Ohio State, Elko now has his sights set on former Florida Atlantic OL Dorian Hinton, who has reportedly made his way to College Station on Saturday.

During his 2023 junior campaign, Hinton, who stands 6’4″ and weighs over 317 pounds, started 12 games at left guard for the Owls, finishing with an impressive 85.7 pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus to finish the year. Looking to finish his collegiate career in the Power 5, Hinton has the guard versatility to compete for a starting or rotational spot as soon as spring football begins.

On paper, the Aggies bring back most of last season’s starting offensive line outside of veteran right guard Layden Robinson, who recently declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. While some fans may think that A&M is set at the guard position, no starting job outside of left tackle Trey Zuhn is safe, providing Hinton, if he were to commit, an opportunity to compete for a spot in the lineup.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Five takeaways from Clemson’s solid 48-14 win over Florida Atlantic

Clemson had good and bad moments against FAU, but overall, it was a strong performance from the Tigers.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers had a strong performance in their 48-7 win over Florida Atlantic, heading into their Week 4 matchup with Florida State on a good note.

There’s no denying that this Clemson team still has some work to do, but there were many positives from this performance. Leading 34-0 at the end of the first half, the Tigers weren’t as strong in the second half but got off to the start they needed against the Owls.

The offense and defense both had their moments, as this game was never in question for Swinney’s squad. Whether we see a win or a loss, I will be here with five takeaways from the Tigers’ performance. Here are five takeaways from Clemson’s strong win over FAU.

Phil Mafah goes 19-yards for the score as Clemson extends their lead over FAU

Mafah looks explosive as Clemson extends their lead.

It has been all Clemson to start this Week 3 matchup with Florida Atlantic as the Tigers extend their lead 27-0 in the second quarter. 

The Tigers have had four drives so far this game, scoring touchdowns on three of the four drives. This one was capped off with a 19-yard touchdown run by Phil Mafah, who looked explosive on the run. 

It was a five-play, 63-yard drive for the Clemson offense as starting quarterback Cade Klubnik has looked confident and comfortable under center. This has been a near picture-perfect start for this Dabo Swinney-led team, as they need to perform at a high level early here. The only issue we’ve seen from Clemson has been kicking.

Clemson takes advantage of turnovers as Tigers extend lead to 20-0

Jake Briningstool got big in the end zone for this touchdown.

Wes Goodwin’s defense has come out in the first quarter against Florida Atlantic, looking like they had a point to prove.

Nate Wiggins took a pick-six to the house for the Tiger’s first score, and he wasn’t the only one to cause a turnover. Freshman Khalil Barnes joined the fun, snagging an interception on the FAU 26. 

Setting the offense up perfectly, the Tigers went four plays for 26 yards, making things look easy. Starting quarterback Cade Klubnik threw his second touchdown pass of the game, finding Jake Briningstool, who big-bodied a defender in the end zone for the score. 

The Tigers now lead the Owls 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. 

Cade Klubnik connects with freshman Tyler Brown for a 30-yard touchdown

Tyler Brown beats his man deep for a 30-yard Clemson touchdown.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football team are off to a hot start Saturday night against Florida Atlantic, as they now lead the Owls 13-0 in the first quarter. 

After Nate Wiggins kicked off the scoring for the Tigers on his 46-yard pick-six, Cade Klubnik, and the offense wasted no time putting points on the board in their first possession. It was a nine-play, 79-yard drive for the Clemson offense that ended with Klubnik finding freshman wide receiver Tyler Brown for a 30-yard touchdown that was all air yards. 

Klubnik looked crisp on the drive, completing 5-5 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. This is exactly how this team needed to come out against the Owls. 

Nate Wiggins’ pick-six gives Clemson an early 7-0 lead

Nate Wiggins takes one to the house to get Clemson on the board.

Wes Goodwin and the Clemson defense got things going right away against Florida Atlantic, putting points on the board before the offense could even take the field. 

The Owls started the game with a 16-yard run as the Tigers’ defense let FAU running back Kobe Lewis find the edge. After that, the Owls went to the air, and it proved to be a big mistake. 

Clemson’s pass rush generated pressure, leading FAU quarterback Casey Thompson to throw up a ball that Clemon cornerback Nate Wiggins jumped all over. Wiggins took the interception 46 yards to the end zone, leading to a Clemson 7-0 lead. 

A great start for the Clemson defense.  

Clemson Football: How to watch Week 3 vs. Florida Atlantic

Here is your guide on how to watch Clemson football’s Week 3 matchup against the Florida Atlantic Owls.

Clemson’s Week 3 matchup with the Florida Atlantic Owls is fast approaching with a start time set for 8 p.m. in Death Valley.

While many are looking past this game to Week 4 against Florida State, we need to slow down and handle the business in front of us. That, is a matchup with the Owls who will look to compete against the Tigers on the road. Clemson needs to clean things up on both sides of the ball tonight as they look to turn their season around.

We have no doubt fans are going to want to tune into this one and see how the Tigers look before their big Week 4. We’re here to tell you how to watch:

Clemson-FAU TV, RADIO, AND STREAMING INFORMATION

WHAT: Clemson (1-1, 0-1 ACC) vs. Duke (0-0, 0-0 SEC)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson SC

TV: ACC Network

STREAMING: ESPN+ ($9.99 per month), WatchESPN (cable subscription needed) and the ESPN app, fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

COMMENTATORS: Wes Durham, Tim Hasselbeck, Taylor Tannebaum

LISTEN: ClemsonTigers.com

 

Our staff score predictions for Clemson vs. Florida Atlantic

The staff made score predictions for Clemson’s Week 3 matchup with FAU.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers had a solid outing in Week 2, as the team recovered from a poor first half to beat Charleston Southern 66-17 in Death Valley. 

Week 3 is a different test, with Clemson facing Florida Atlantic in front of their home crowd at 8 p.m. While many are looking toward Week 4’s matchup against a No.3 Florida State, Clemson needs to handle business against the Owls and put together a complete performance where they improve and clean up the mistakes we’ve seen through two games. 

As we do every week, the staff gathered and made score predictions for Saturday’s matchup with FAU. Here is a look at what we are thinking heading into the Week 3 game.

Former Texas, Nebraska QB Casey Thompson commits to Florida Atlantic

Casey Thompson and Tom Herman are officially reunited.

Former Texas quarterback Casey Thompson will play his final season of eligibility at Florida Atlantic. Continue reading “Former Texas, Nebraska QB Casey Thompson commits to Florida Atlantic”