Tag: James Skalski

Watch: Clemson releases hype video narrated by Skalski

Clemson Football released a hype video on social media ahead of Saturday’s 12 p.m. showdown between the Tigers and No. 10 Wake Forest on Senior Day & Hall of Fame Day at Death Valley. Check out the video below from Clemson Football’s official …

Clemson Football released a hype video on social media ahead of Saturday’s 12 p.m. showdown between the Tigers and No. 10 Wake Forest on Senior Day & Hall of Fame Day at Death Valley.

Check out the video below from Clemson Football’s official Twitter account:

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Seeing red: Clemson’s defense at its best when the field shrinks

Connecticut found itself close to the kind of success many teams haven’t had against Clemson’s defense late in the teams’ game at Memorial Stadium last week. Brian Brewton prefaced the Huskies’ final possession of the game with a 76-yard kickoff …

Connecticut found itself close to the kind of success many teams haven’t had against Clemson’s defense late in the teams’ game at Memorial Stadium last week.

Brian Brewton prefaced the Huskies’ final possession of the game with a 76-yard kickoff return that put UConn at Clemson’s 24-yard line. Sheridan Jones’ personal foul put UConn into the red zone, and the Huskies moved to the Tigers’ 5 on the ensuing play. Clemson (7-3, 5-2) thwarted the threat, though, pushing the Huskies back 2 yards on their final three snaps to hold UConn without an offensive point in the Tigers’ 44-7 rout.

Given the Tigers were playing their reserves in a 37-point game, it didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. But it kept an impressive trend going for the defense, which has been the best in the country with its collective back against the wall.

It was the 23rd time an opponent has reached the red zone this season against the Tigers. Yet almost as many of those trips have left the opposition empty-handed as the ones that haven’t. Only 56.6% of the time have teams come away with points against Clemson after reaching the Tigers’ 20-yard line or farther, the lowest clip in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Even when those trips have been successful, teams have more often had to settle for three points rather than six. Of the 13 red-zone scores Clemson has allowed through 10 games, seven of them have been field goals, which has contributed to the Tigers’ third-ranked scoring defense nationally.

“It gives you a chance to win most games if you can win in the red zone, and we’ve been fortunate to be pretty good there,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. 

UConn’s final possession was the only time the Huskies got that close to scoring six against the Tigers, but there have been other instances where Clemson has come through in more pressurized situations.

The week before, with Clemson clinging to a 30-24 lead late, Louisville had the Tigers on the ropes with one last drive that reached Clemson’s 2 in just five plays. The Cardinals didn’t net anything on their next three snaps, and the drive ended with linebacker James Skalski and company chasing down Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham for a sack on fourth-and-goal to preserve the win.

It was a sequence reminiscent of Clemson’s 14-8 win over Georgia Tech in the third week of the season, one in which the Yellow Jackets had four cracks from the Tigers’ 3 in the final minute. Skalski was in on two of the next three tackles before sniffing out Tech’s shovel pass to tight end Dylan Deveney on fourth-and-goal.

“I think it’s just will. A will to keep people out of the end zone,” Skalski said. “I’ve been a part of countless goal-line stands now since I’ve been here, which is pretty cool. It’s just a bunch of guys in the huddle together kind of talking to each other like, ‘They’re not getting in this end zone.’ And that’s kind of what we did.”

Two weeks later, the defense was at it again when Boston College threatened for a go-ahead score in the final 2 minutes. The Eagles drove to Clemson’s 11 before an incompletion brought up second down, but K.J. Henry shot into the backfield on the next snap to pounce on quarterback Daniel Grosel’s muffed snap turned fumble, a recovery that iced a 19-13 win for the Tigers. Clemson limited Boston College to one touchdown on its four red-zone trips.

Will is one thing, but Venables said he believes his unit’s preparation for those moments in practice also has something to do with just how stingy the defense has been the more the field shrinks. The fact the defense has been able to bow up more often than not only adds to the group’s confidence each time it finds itself in that kind of situation, he said.

“There’s a lot to it mentally and structurally,” Venables said. “I think the most important element, though, is belief, attitude, toughness and physicality. The fundamentals will show up under pressure down there for sure.”

It’ll be strength against strength Saturday when the Tigers close out their home slate against No. 10 Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0), which has been one of the nation’s best offenses all season in every part of the field. The Demon Deacons are scoring the second-most points in the FBS and own the nation’s seventh-most successful red-zone offense (93.8% conversion rate). Only 10 teams nationally have made more red-zone trips than Wake’s 48, and 34 of those have reached the end zone.

Clemson’s defense is as well prepared as any should it find itself in that predicament again come Saturday.

“It can really give you a lot of confidence in everything you’re doing and validates the toughness, the discipline and the never-say-quit attitude you’ve got to have when your back’s against the wall,” Venables said.

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Where are Clemson players ranked in McShay’s updated 2022 NFL Draft rankings?

ESPN Senior NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay released his updated 2022 NFL Draft rankings this week. Eight Clemson players are ranked among McShay’s top 250 prospects for the 2022 draft class (subscription required). Junior cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. …

ESPN Senior NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay released his updated 2022 NFL Draft rankings this week.

Eight Clemson players are ranked among McShay’s top 250 prospects for the 2022 draft class (subscription required).

Junior cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. is the highest-ranked Tiger at No. 38, followed by redshirt junior wide receiver Justyn Ross at No. 92.

Junior wide receiver Joseph Ngata checks in at No. 124 on McShay’s list, and junior cornerback Sheridan Jones is also ranked by McShay as a top-150 prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 150).

Senior defensive end Xavier Thomas is ranked No. 166 by McShay, while senior cornerback Mario Goodrich is No. 211, junior defensive tackle Tyler Davis is No. 218 and super senior linebacker James Skalski is No. 241.

McShay also released his updated rankings of the top 10 prospects at every position, and Booth comes in as the No. 5 cornerback.

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Skalski talks emotions ahead of last game in The Valley

James Skalski still can’t believe it. As he spoke with reporters during Tuesday’s media availability, Skalski wasn’t misty-eyed. He’s been down this path before, but he’s also not quite ready for what lies ahead. In a blink of an eye, it’ll be …

James Skalski still can’t believe it.

As he spoke with reporters during Tuesday’s media availability, Skalski wasn’t misty-eyed. He’s been down this path before, but he’s also not quite ready for what lies ahead. In a blink of an eye, it’ll be Sunday before he knows it and it’ll all be over.

“It was gonna happen one way or another,” Skalski said. “I’m gonna be emotional, but it is what it is.”

It’s only fitting that Skalski’s last home game has some meaning to it. It’s a pretty significant game for the Tigers, who still have a path to Charlotte. Obviously, they need some help, but for Skalski and Co., it starts with taking care of business at home this weekend against Wake Forest.

“It’s pretty cool that they have a chance to come in here and potentially win the division,” he said, “and we have a chance to keep our hopes alive. I wouldn’t want it any other way, honestly. It’s gonna be a big game. They’re a great team. We’re just excited for the challenge and I’m happy that the last one in The Valley can be so significant.”

Saturday will be the final time that Skalski gets to take part in Clemson’s famous pregame traditions. Skalski indicated that he doesn’t know how emotional he’ll get before because he needs to be locked in. But after the game? All bets are off. 

“Whatever happens, I’m gonna be looking around just trying to take it all in,” he said. “But, it’s surreal when you are up there (on the top of the hill) looking around. It’s a special moment. To all the young guys out there, don’t wish it away because just like that (Skalski snapped his fingers), it’s done.”

Skalski was asked to put into words just what Clemson has meant to him over these past six years.

“Oh man, words can’t describe what Clemson’s done for me, the things I’ve learned while I’m here, the kind of the man its turned me into,” Saklski said. The perspective. That’s the biggest thing I think, the perspective you gain or learn when you play for Coach Swinney, Coach Venables and all these great coaches and staff and all these great people in general in the building. You look at life a lot differently when you’re here and they help you grow. That’s the biggest takeaway, you’ll become a great football player, you’ll become a good student and you’ll have all these opportunities to do great things, but the perspective you gain about how to look at life, it changes you. No matter what you do, whatever it is, it’s special. 

“I’m so thankful for all these years I’ve had here and I’m so thankful I decided to come back. Because, I think I grew a lot in my first five (years), but I think I’ve grown the most as a person in these last six months, to be completely honest with you.”

Why?

“I don’t know,” he added. “I guess, you see the light at the end of the tunnel and I know life’s coming. I don’t know. At first, I didn’t want to come back. Of course, I wanna try to go to the league last year. I kept trying to move on, but God had other plans and I got hurt. So, in the last year, I’ve really gotten the chance to lead, be led and grow even more as a person, more than I thought I would the last year.”

Prior to this season, Skalski entered his final campaign with 210 career tackles (16.0 tackles for loss), 7.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble over 56 games (25 starts). Skalski is the only player, ever, to play in five different ACC Championship Games. 

He still has a chance to play in No. 6, but the Tigers need some help getting there.

Through 10 games this season, Skalski has 74 total tackles (three for loss), 1.5 sacks and three passes defended.

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Clemson fans have opportunity to love, care their ‘wounded dog’ back into shape

As a person who owns five rescue dogs, I get Dabo Swinney’s analogy, when he said his Clemson Football team is a “wounded dog on the side of the road.” They may be hurt. They may be down. But they are hungry and more importantly they are still …

As a person who owns five rescue dogs, I get Dabo Swinney’s analogy, when he said his Clemson Football team is a “wounded dog on the side of the road.”

They may be hurt. They may be down. But they are hungry and more importantly they are still alive.

A wounded dog is a fighter. Its determination and will to survive is like no other. I own two dogs that I literally picked up on the side of the road. Well, I should say my ex-girlfriend did. I own another my friend found and one I found wounded and in dire need.

They all had one thing in common when we founded them. They all had that will to live. They all had that will to fight and continue even when all seemed lost.

With the number of injuries, the Tigers have suffered this season, quitting would have been easy. And to be honest, you really could not blame them.

Clemson has had more than 30 players on the injury list this year that have missed at least one game or significant time in a game due to injury. With the news of wide receiver Justyn Ross possibly being lost for the remainder of the season, it would mean 15 of those players have suffered some sort of season-ending injury.

Yet, despite all the injuries. Despite the tough losses to Georgia, NC State and Pittsburgh. Despite all the negative talk on the television, radio, Twitter, and message boards, here they are. It is Week 12 of the college football season, and the Tigers are still alive in the ACC Championship race.

“We are limping along, and we keep finding a way,” linebacker James Skalski said. “I think we are a wounded dog a little bit. I think this is the most injuries I have seen since I have been here. It is definitely the most adversity we have seen. But we are still alive. We are still limping. We are still moving.”

Granted, a lot has to happen for the six-time ACC Champion to make it back to the championship game, but they are still a live and they appear to still have some fight left in them.

“We got to win, but like I said, we are a wounded dog on the side of the road. We need some help man,” Swinney said.

What help is Swinney talking about. Like he said, they first have to win on Saturday against No.10 Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0 ACC). The Demon Deacons are undefeated in conference play and are coming off a huge win over NC State that has them in control of the ACC’s Atlantic Division race.

A win over Wake Forest will keep the Tigers (7-3, 5-2 ACC) alive, but then they will need some help to make it back to Charlotte. Clemson will need NC State (7-3, 4-2 ACC) to lose one of its remaining two games against Syracuse and North Carolina, plus Boston College will need to beat the Demon Deacons in the final week of the regular season.

But the first step in helping a wounded dog is you have to have mercy for it. You have to pick it up and bring it home and show it some love. That is where Clemson fans come in this week.

If the fans want to keep their Tigers’ title hopes alive, they need to show them how much they care. Death Valley needs to be packed on Saturday against Wake Forest. I know it is a Noon kick and I know how difficult it is to get to Clemson that early in the day. But the best way for Clemson fans to show they love their wounded team is to get to the stadium and give the Tigers a home field advantage the Demon Deacons have never seen before.

That kind of love and support can go a long way.

“We need someone to pick us. Bandage us up and give us some new life,” Swinney said. “We are still alive. We are still alive. But if we don’t win this game we are not.”

And trust me, once you pick up a wounded dog and you love and care them back to full strength, there is no friend or companion more loyal and dedicated to you.

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The good, the bad and the ugly from Clemson’s win over UConn

Clemson made easy work of Connecticut on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Tigers’ 44-7 win: The good It wasn’t exactly the stiffest level of competition, but the defense dominated an inferior offense the …

Clemson made easy work of Connecticut on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Tigers’ 44-7 win:

The good

It wasn’t exactly the stiffest level of competition, but the defense dominated an inferior offense the way it should with a bounceback performance that doubled as the Tigers’ most suffocating of the season.

A week after Louisville ran all over Clemson, UConn never got going. It helped the Huskies didn’t have a dual-threat quarterback like Malik Cunningham, but nothing worked for UConn, which was no match for the Tigers’ talent and physicality, particularly up front.

Clemson lived in the backfield with nine tackles for loss and six sacks. UConn finished with minus-17 rushing yards and, at one point in the second half, was in the minus-40s. It was the fifth-lowest rushing total for an opponent in Clemson’s history.

Because Clemson kept UConn in long-yardage downs or behind the chains for most of the day, the Huskies finished with just 99 yards of offense and went 0 for 14 on third down. The Huskies’ offense reached Clemson’s side of midfield once in 16 possessions, and the closest UConn came to sniffing the end zone was after Brian Brewton returned a kickoff 76 yards late in the fourth quarter to put the Huskies at Clemson’s 12-yard line after a personal foul.

Even with reserves in the game at that point, the Tigers eventually turned UConn over on downs. Clemson did that three other times, too, holding the Huskies to a combined 0 of 18 on third and fourth downs. The Tigers added two turnovers for good measure.

Offensively, Clemson posted a season-high in passing yards (347) among the four quarterbacks who played. Freshman receiver Dacari Collins stepped in for the injured Joseph Ngata and Justyn Ross on the outside and had his best game in a Clemson uniform to this point, catching six passes for 97 yards in three quarters. Another freshman, tight end Jake Briningstool, made an acrobatic 25-yard catch late in the fourth quarter for his first career touchdown.

Special teams also contributed to the win in a big way. B.T. Potter continued to show those three missed field goals against Florida State a couple of weeks back was more of an aberration, going a perfect 7-for-7 on his kicks. He was 3 of 3 on field goals, including a pair of 49-yarders. Senior receiver Will Swinney, who doubles as the Tigers’ holder, executed a fake field goal late in the first quarter when he darted 6 yards through the middle of UConn’s defense for Clemson’s first touchdown.

The bad

D.J. Uiagalelei had his good moments, including a beautifully placed 32-yard touchdown toss to Beaux Collins just before the half. But the latest performance from Clemson’s quarterback was far more reminiscent of his more inaccurate ones in the first half of the season.

Uiagalelei went 21 of 44 passing for his third-lowest completion percentage of the season. Drops were also an issue for the first time in a few weeks, but most of the incompletions were simply misfires, some of which didn’t come close to their intended target. Many of Uiagalelei’s passes sailed high, including one to Collins near the goal line in the first half that almost certainly would’ve been a touchdown.

Accuracy was a real struggle early for Uiagalelei, who had a stretch in the first half where he had just five completions in 18 attempts and missed on eight straight throws at one point. Uiagalelei, who wasn’t made available for interviews afterward, played with a brace on his sprained right knee, but Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said the injury didn’t affect Uiagalelei during the week of practice.

“Looked great (in practice),” Swinney said. “Just some missed plays, and there were a couple of plays we need to make for him. Kind of just off our hands and things that kind of get you in rhythm as well that we didn’t make. Just inaccurate early, but he battled through it.”

Even with one healthy knee, Uiagalelei attempted more passes than he had in any game in all season. Part of it was the way UConn chose to defend Clemson, Swinney said, but some of it was because backup Taisun Phommachanh hurt his shoulder during the only drive he played, keeping Uiagalelei in the game for longer stretches than the Tigers would’ve liked. 

And none of Clemson’s quarterbacks got much help from a running game that missing several key pieces. Running backs Will Shipley and Kobe Pace were held out as a precaution while offensive lineman Will Putnam missed his second straight game with an ankle injury, and the Tigers averaged just 3.1 yards on their 42 carries against the nation’s No. 111 rush defense. Senior Darien Rencher, playing his second game of the season, fumbled at the goal line early in the fourth quarter, adding to a choppy performance after the offense had made some strides the previous two weeks.

The ugly

As well as the other aspects of the special-teams unit performed, Clemson’s kickoff coverage team was a mess from the start. Before Brewton had that long return late in the game, he had an even longer one on the game’s opening kickoff.

He even dropped the ball near the goal line, but the Huskies’ freshman running back picked it up and then took off toward the sideline, where there were no purple jerseys to be found. Brewton went 99 yards untouched to the house, shocking Clemson and most of the fans in attendance, and averaged 63 yards on his three kick returns.

“Poor technique right there,” Swinney said of the coverage on the opening kickoff. “Next thing you know, that ball is outside and we’ve got a bunch of guys caught up inside. And that kid is a good player. He’s fast, and we saw that on tape. But just a bad play.”

And it’s a broken record at this point, but Phommachanh was among the injuries added to a list that continues to grow by the week. Ross’ afternoon ended three catches in after he injured his left foot. He watched most of the game on crutches with a boot. Reserve linebacker Sergio Allen was carted off with an undisclosed injury. Defensive end Xavier Thomas’ day was cut short because of a hamstring.

James Skalski was also dinged up at one point, but Swinney said afterward the senior linebacker is fine. Whether that’s the case for the others remains to be seen, but further attrition isn’t what the Tigers need with ACC leader Wake Forest coming to town next weekend for a game that could still decide who gets to represent the Atlantic Division in next month’s conference title game.

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Breaking It Down with Bri: Louisville review, UConn week

The Clemson Insider’s Bri Hentschel reviews Clemson’s thrilling win at Louisville last week and looks ahead to Saturday’s 12 p.m. game between the Tigers and UConn at Death Valley. Hear from Bri, Clemson linebacker James Skalski and quarterback D.J. …

The Clemson Insider’s Bri Hentschel reviews Clemson’s thrilling win at Louisville last week and looks ahead to Saturday’s 12 p.m. game between the Tigers and UConn at Death Valley.

Hear from Bri, Clemson linebacker James Skalski and quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei in TCI’s “Breaking It Down with Bri” feature:

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Skalski: ‘Can’t share some of the words that were actually said’

Clemson’s defense came up clutch at the goal line after Louisville had four attempts to score the game-winning touchdown. Linebacker James Skalski is to thank for his sack on Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham on fourth-and-goal with less than …

Clemson’s defense came up clutch at the goal line after Louisville had four attempts to score the game-winning touchdown. Linebacker James Skalski is to thank for his sack on Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham on fourth-and-goal with less than 30 seconds left, causing a 2-yard loss to secure the Tigers a victory.

The Tigers’ defense shines week in and week out but even more so when they are caught in doubtful situations. How does this gritty team do it?

“I think it’s just will, will to keep people out of the end zone,” Skalski said. “I have been a part of countless goal-line stands now since I’ve been here, which is pretty cool. … We just made the decision that we were going to give it everything we’ve got, and whatever happens happens. And we’ve come out on the right side of it again.”

An inside look on the Tigers’ defensive huddles from Skalski: “We’re screaming and yelling. Can’t share some of the words that were actually said. We knew Cunningham was their go-to. They were going to give the ball to him. Once we got them to fourth-and-goal, I think we were pretty comfortable with what was coming next and that we could stop it. The key is slowing that guy down, and we knew they were going to run the football and he was going to be the guy.”

Skalski, confident in still making the ACC championship game, stated, “It’s a possibility. Until it’s no longer a possibility, I won’t sit here and tell you that, and I believe that. That’s how we get preached to. You have to have an unshakeable belief about any possibilities. If we just keep taking care of our business, then maybe that’ll happen for us. And fingers crossed it does.”

Skalski on how special the chemistry is within his team this year: “Probably the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

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Skalski has never had more fun playing football: ‘I’m having a hell of a time’

It might come as a surprise, but this is the most fun James Skalski has ever had playing football. What? Really? Yes. Really. Skalski, who is decorated from head to toe in honors and accomplishments and has more rings than he has fingers, is having …

It might come as a surprise, but this is the most fun James Skalski has ever had playing football.

What? Really?

Yes. Really.

Skalski, who is decorated from head to toe in honors and accomplishments and has more rings than he has fingers, is having the time of his life as he wraps up his final season as a Tiger.

It’s not the season, that he or anyone else envisioned — one that’s been filled to the brim with adversity — but Skalski wouldn’t trade his experience this season for the world.

He talked to reporters on Monday, coming off the heels of a comeback victory on the road against Lousiville. Clemson plays pretty much the same game every week at this point — one which comes down to the final play or possession — and yet, the Tigers have continually fought through adversity to get the job done.

“Obviously, we didn’t want to be in that situation,” Skalsi said regarding Clemson’s game-winning goal-line stand during Monday’s media availability.“They made two pretty amazing plays. I thought [Mario Goodrich] was in good coverage on that first bomb they threw and then fourth-and-1, they converted. I don’t know how [Louisville wide receiver Justin Marshall ] caught that ball.”

The ball was on the 2-yard line. Louisville had four downs to score.

“We muscled up and made some huge plays,” he said. “We pulled it out and it was great to be a part of that.”

When in need of a big play or a goal-line stand for that matter, Clemson’s defense has risen to the occasion just about every single time.

“I think it’s just will, man,” Skalski added. “The will to keep people out of the end zone. I’ve been a part of countless goal-line stands now since I’ve been here, which is pretty cool…we just made a decision that we were going to give everything we got and whatever happens, happens and we’re coming out on the right side of it again.”

As the bonafide leader of the team’s defense Skalsksi gave reporters an inside look of what those huddles prior to a do-or-die goal-line stand looks like.

“We’re screaming, yelling. I can’t share some of the words that were actually said,” he quipped. “I mean, we knew [Malik] Cunningham was their go-to. They were gonna get the ball to him. Once we got him to fourth-and-goal, I think we were pretty comfortable with what was coming next and that we could stop it.”

They stopped Cunnigham right in his tracks with the game on the line. Lousiville’s junior quarterback was unable to get a pass off as Skalski and Clemson’s defense prevailed, yet again.

It encapsulated Clemson’s season to a T. 

A season that has been anything but normal for the Tigers, and a relative first for Skalski, who hasn’t exactly experienced this level of adversity throughout his storied Clemson career.

“My first five [seasons] and it sounds weird to say, but pretty smooth sailing as far as being 12-0 a lot of the time, ACC Championship, know you’re going to the Playoff, compete for national championships,” Skalski said. “And, this year’s been a little different. Every single game has come down to the last possession and it’s fun. Don’t get me wrong, I’m having a hell of a time playing football this year, probably the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here, to be honest with you. 

“Maybe it’s not the season we’ve hoped for, but I love the guys we got in the room. I love the chemistry. I love everything about what this year’s brought. I don’t think we’ve learned anything new. I just think it’s validating the foundation we’ve built and validating what it takes to win a game and how hard it is to win consistently for a very long time. That’s just what we’re gonna keep trying to do.”

Skalski hasn’t allowed himself to think about what’s next for him as Clemson continues to focus on the task at hand. That being said, he sounded a little surprised when asked about what it’ll be like to play one of his final home games against UConn at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

“That’s crazy to think about,” he said. “That’s crazy. I played a lot of football in that stadium. So, it’s gonna be weird knowing it’s the last couple. It’s going to be emotional. You may see me cry out there…but it’ll be awesome, though. It’s been a great ride. I’ve enjoyed every second of playing football here, playing in that stadium. I’m just gonna try to end it the right way.”

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Carter: ‘The future of Clemson is going to be very bright’

Barrett Carter has gotten his fair share of playing time as the season has gone on. Sure, injuries have played a part in that, but even as Clemson’s linebacker room has stayed relatively healthy, Carter has forced his way into the equation. The true …

Barrett Carter has gotten his fair share of playing time as the season has gone on.

Sure, injuries have played a part in that, but even as Clemson’s linebacker room has stayed relatively healthy, Carter has forced his way into the equation.

The true freshman linebacker out of North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) is a former top-35 recruit and has earned the trust of the staff. Speaking with reporters Monday, he talked about how he’s been able to see the field early.

“I think it’s just the more time I put in the film room and just the more knowledge I’m learning from like [James] Skalski, Baylon [Spector], Nolan [Turner] and even Coach Venables, just getting a feel for the defense,” Carter said. “Coming in the summer, it’s a lot to process. Just the experience and those guys taking me under their wing(s) and all that stuff have helped me get on the field some more.”

Carter was asked just how difficult that transition was. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ scheme is not one you pick up overnight.

“It definitely wasn’t easy,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and a lot of dedication. I didn’t expect it to be easy. I think that’s a part of why you come to Clemson, just for the challenge. It definitely isn’t easy, but just having the fifth and sixth-year guys on the team, they really help you because it’s really like having two or three more Coach Venables on the field with you when you’re out there with them. They’ve definitely made the process of learning the defense much easier.”

During Saturday’s 27-17 loss at Pitt, Carter was beaten by Panthers wide receiver Taysir Mack, who caught a 39-yard go-ahead touchdown from Kenny Pickett.

“It was just bad execution by me,” Carter explained. “I don’t put that on anybody else, but myself. I could have played that much better than I did. I don’t really know much else to say, but it’s just bad execution on me. I take full blame for that. We’re gonna bounce back from it. I don’t put that play on anybody else but myself. Just a freshman mistake. I’m gonna learn from it and just get better from it.”

Carter indicated that the play in question was bad technique on his part. He started pedaling outwards and nothing that Mack did took him outwards. It was just bad technique and execution on his part. Regardless, he thinks he can keep up with 

“I feel like I can run with anybody in the country who I face up against,” Carter said. “That’s just the confidence that I have in myself and my training, my background, where I’m from. Just all that, I feel like it’s all prepared me for this type of experience.”

Following Saturday’s game, Venables called the 4th-and-6 play “the most inopportune drive of the night.” Though, he later admitted Monday that he put Carter in a tough spot.

While the play didn’t unfold as Carter would’ve liked for it to, it’s clear the coaching staff already has confidence in the true freshman to put him in situations like that, to begin with.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I’m glad that I was just out there and that Coach Venables called that play. That shows that he has the trust in me. I just got to keep building on that and keep improving, to have him trust me even more.”

Carter attributes being able to play early to his high school coach, Bill Stewart, who had him play a similar role at North Gwinnett. Carter played all around the field, safety, linebacker and even some offense. It’s helped him prepare for this current moment, he added.

That role in Venables’s defense was a big factor in why Carter chose Clemson.

“Seeing what he’s done with past players in my position like Isaiah Simmons, Dorian O’Daniel, Mike Jones. Just those players, seeing what he’s done with them in that versatile way, that definitely as a recruit makes you want to come to play for him, just learn under him and be the next great one to come out of Clemson.”

Carter studied all three linebackers before getting to Clemson. He wanted to be able to learn from the guys who mastered that role under Venables’s tutelage, specifically O’Daniel because Carter is a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Simmons, who has had a profound impact on the positionless position and the game itself.

“He changed really the culture in football itself,” Carter said…”He truly changed the game of football with his versatility, just lining up anywhere on the field and making plays wherever it is.”

From Simmons to Skalski to Spector, Carter has had a good barometer of how linebacker play should look like in the Purple and Orange. With that being said, he’s enthralled about what the future of that position looks like with him, Trenton Simpson and LaVonta Bentley leading the way.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “Skalski and Baylon, they set the standard. They showed us what leadership and hard work are all about. The future of Clemson is going to be very bright. Just learning under them and under Coach Venables, I’m excited for what the future is going to look like.”

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