Kobe Pace – Page 11 – Syndication Server

Clemson has more work to do to evaluate this position

The competition among Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace and Will Shipley leading up to last week’s season opener against Georgia was so tight that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was adamant all three running backs would play this season. Swinney’s confidence in …

Swinney’s confidence in the trio made him go as far as to say at one point that he didn’t care which one took the field first with the rest of the Tigers’ offense. Turns out that was Pace, but true to his word, all three logged snaps in Clemson’s 10-3 loss.

So what did Swinney think of their performances? Well…

“We just didn’t ever really give them a chance,” Swinney said. “Those guys are going to be outstanding, but it’s kind of hard to evaluate them.”

Life after Travis Etienne got off to a rough — and mostly absent — start for Clemson’s primary backs, who combined for just 24 rushing yards against the nation’s top run defense two years running. Some missed blocking assignments along the offensive line cost the Tigers opportunities for a big gainer here and there on the ground, but the real issue in evaluating the backs came with a lack of touches.

Dixon wasn’t available for the first half because of what Swinney called “team rules.” But even with Pace and Shipley around the whole time, the combined carries for the backs were in the single digits. Pace went for 2 yards on Clemson’s first offensive snap but got just three carries the rest of the way. Shipley touched the ball just four times while Dixon’s lone went for 10 yards once he made an appearance in the second half.

Even against a defense as stout as Georgia’s has proven to be, Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott voiced regret this week about abandoning the run as quickly as the Tigers did. Rarely even giving the Bulldogs a look in the running game put more of the pressure on D.J. Uiagalelei and the offensive line to hold up against Georgia’s relentless pass rush, which didn’t go well.

Uiagalelei was sacked seven times, and the Tigers finished with just 180 total yards in their first game without a touchdown in nearly four years.

“I think there’s nobody that evaluates themselves more than the coaches themselves, that’s for sure,” Swinney said. “We made some mistakes, too. You look back, and there are a couple of things we should’ve hung in there on the run game a little bit more and didn’t do it. That’s definitely something we can improve on.”

Shipley also had an 11-yard catch and run to convert a third down in the first half after lining up out wide while Pace caught one pass for 6 yards. But Swinney said some mental breakdowns between the two prevented them from potentially being a bigger part of the passing game out of the backfield.

Swinney said the youngsters held up well in pass protection, but there were also times when they should’ve been out in more route concepts based on certain looks the offense was getting from Georgia’s defense.

“Sometimes we have protections where they’re kind of the Secret Service agent,” Swinney said. “They’re there for backup. And we’ve got free-release protections where they get out, but when we’ve got some check-release things, they overcomplicated things. They should’ve been out in the structure, especially against all the cover-2 (zone defense) and two-man stuff.

“The ball needs to find the back, but they’re in the backfield blocking nobody when they need to be in the route concept. So that’s where they’ve got to improve, and they will.”

The Tigers plan to get a bigger sample size out of their backs when Clemson returns to action Saturday in its home opener against South Carolina State. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 5 p.m.

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 …

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!

Will it be running back by committee for Clemson?

With just eight days left before Clemson and Georgia kick off the season with their top-5 clash in Charlotte, Dabo Swinney still hasn’t seen much separation among the Tigers’ running backs. At this point, Clemson’s coach isn’t really looking for it. …

With just eight days left before Clemson and Georgia kick off the season with their top-5 clash in Charlotte, Dabo Swinney still hasn’t seen much separation among the Tigers’ running backs.

At this point, Clemson’s coach isn’t really looking for it.

“They’re all kind of right there (near the top of the depth chart),” Swinney said.

Swinney compared the options in the backfield to the depth the Tigers have at defensive end, where five players have started multiple games for Clemson. Neither Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace nor true freshman Will Shipley have started a game at running back for Clemson, but that’s likely to change inside Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 4.

They’ve consistently led the competition having all gotten first-team reps during fall camp, but as for which one takes the field for the Tigers’ first offensive snap?

“I mean, I don’t really care who runs out there,” Swinney said. “I’ve got confidence in those guys. Those guys are ready to play. A lot of competition, but competition among really good players. And I feel really good about that group.”

So the task of replacing the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, Travis Etienne, is trending toward a committee approach among Clemson’s current collection of backs, which also includes Derion Rencher, Michel Dukes and another freshman, Phil Mafah. All of them bring something a little bit different at this point of their respective careers.

For Dixon, it’s a wealth of knowledge and experience. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound is heading into his fourth year in the offense with 1,372 rushing yards and 519 career snaps having served as Etienne’s primary backup the last couple of seasons.

At 5-10 and 210 pounds, Pace may have the best combination of size and shiftiness at the position and will have a much larger role after getting just 23 touches out of the backfield as a freshman last season. As for Shipley, there aren’t yet any collegiate snaps to his name, but, according to his coaches and teammates, the five-star signee’s skill set has been as advertised ever since he arrived on campus in January.

Most notably, Shipley possesses the kind of speed that already has his teammates debating whether or not he’s the fastest player on Clemson’s roster. The Tigers could also try to take advantage of that by getting Shipley in space as a receiver or even in the return game.

“He’s probably a good assumption,” Swinney said, referencing the likelihood of Shipley seeing the field early and often this season. “He’s a definite guy. Don’t think there’s any big secret there.”

Rencher, who began his career as a walk-on, is a sixth-year player that hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunities (74 career carries) but has Swinney’s trust whenever he’s on the field. Dukes missed part of fall camp but is back with the team while Mafah, a four-star recruit, is already the biggest back on the roster at 6-1 and 225 pounds.

“I don’t foresee a situation where one guy is playing,” Swinney said. “I think we’ve got a really, really talented group, and they’ll all have a hand in it.”

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

5 players who improved their stock during fall camp

With Clemson’s fall camp in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take inventory of what’s happened over the last two and a half weeks in terms of personnel. Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff will be doing the same as they work to fill out the depth …

With Clemson’s fall camp in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take inventory of what’s happened over the last two and a half weeks in terms of personnel.

Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff will be doing the same as they work to fill out the depth chart ahead of the Tigers’ Sept. 4 opener against Georgia, so here are five players who’ve improved their stock during camp based on practice observations and interviews with coaches and players. Only players who have been with the program for at least one year were considered.

TCI also compiled a list of true freshmen who’ve put themselves in position to be immediate contributors, which you can check out here.

Andrew Booth Jr.

Talent has never been the issue with Booth, who arrived on Clemson’s campus three years ago as a five-star signee. As Swinney mentioned throughout camp, being available is the only thing that’s held back the Tigers’ junior cornerback.

Booth has played in 24 games for the Tigers but has only started four mainly because of nagging injuries. But he’s practicing with a clean bill of health this month and had one of his best fall camps since he’s been at Clemson.

Booth’s athleticism has always been apparent — go check out YouTube videos of any of his one-handed interceptions if you haven’t seen them — and the 6-foot, 200-pounder brings a blend of length and physicality to the position. He’s routinely drawn assignments against some of Clemson’s top wideouts during practice and has held his own, which isn’t all that surprising for a player expecting to be the Tigers’ shutdown corner as long as he can stay on the field.

“He’s been consistently here and feels good, so I’m really proud of him,” Swinney said. “He’s got a good look in his eye.”

Ajou Ajou

There was a time recently when Swinney thought he might have to move Ajou to tight end, something Swinney attributed to the Canadian receiver eating a bunch of good food after arriving in the United States.

But Ajou, who had gotten up to 240 pounds on his 6-3 frame, has worked to get down closer to the 220-pound range and is undoubtedly one of the Tigers’ most improved offensive players, Swinney said. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott referred to Ajou as “a freak of nature” and has likened some of his movements to former Clemson great Deandre Hopkins.

“He’s balling,” quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei said. “Making great plays. Going up and grabbing the ball. Moving. Looking light on his feet. He looks really good.”

So after taking a year to get up to speed in Clemson’s offense and working himself into better shape, the sophomore wideout is primed for a bigger role this fall, one that could be even bigger than anticipated should Joseph Ngata have to miss much more time. Ngata missed a chunk of camp with a hamstring injury, including both of the Tigers’ scrimmages, though Swinney said he’s “getting closer” to a return.

Regardless, Ajou’s workload figures to go up significantly after catching just two passes a year ago.

“It’s incredible where he is,” Swinney said. “He’s going to help us in a big way.”

Xavier Thomas

Yes, Thomas has been around a while as a senior, but it’s how far he’s come in the last eight months that has Swinney and his coaching staff excited about Thomas’ last season in a Tiger uniform.

Dealing with complications from COVID-19 and strep throat, Thomas only intended to play four games but ended up appearing in seven once the NCAA gave all players a free year of eligibility. The veteran defensive end wasn’t himself, though, and ballooned to 294 pounds at the start of the offseason, Swinney said.

But Thomas dropped 30 pounds — cutting sweets out of his diet was a big help, he said — and has shown the kind of explosiveness and physicality that helped him earn freshman All-America honors in 2018.

“He’s been incredibly focused since January,” Swinney said. “We sat down, we talked, we met and we kind of laid out where he is and what he needs to do, and he’s exceeded all of those things. He’s got a great look in his eye.”

Thomas has played in 34 games with nine starts at Clemson, one of the five defensive ends for the Tigers that have started at least one game. A new-and-improved Thomas has been just as impressive as any of them during camp.

“He’s in a group of guys where we’ve got multiple starters there, but he’s made the most of his snaps for sure,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.

Ruke Orhorhoro

On the interior of the defensive line, Clemson is going to need a handful of players to spell Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis from time to time. Orhorhoro may be at the top of that list.

A third-year sophomore, Orhorhoro was listed as a backup at defensive tacke going into last season, but a knee injury limited him to just four games. He also missed some time in the spring, but the 6-4, 300-pounder went through camp with a clean bill of health and was back with the second-team defense looking like “a million bucks,” Venables said.

Tre Williams, Darnell Jefferies, Etinosa Reuben, DeMonte Capehart and true freshman Payton Page could also help on the inside, though Capehart missed all of camp after having his knee scoped and will need some time to get caught up. But Orhorhoro, whom Venables said has reached another level in his physical and mental maturation, has made a strong case to be the Tigers’ third defensive tackle.

“He’s still got an incredible ceiling, and I expect him, the more he plays, to continue to get better and really help us at that position when we need some help,” Venables said.

Kobe Pace

There still hasn’t been much separation in the competition to replace the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, Travis Etienne. Considering the edge senior Lyn-J Dixon has on the rest of the running backs in terms of experience — he’s been Etienne’s primary backup for the last couple of seasons — that may be good news for Pace, a sophomore the coaching staff is high on.

Pace got his feet wet last season behind Etienne and Dixon, playing 50 snaps over nine games, but the 5-10, 210-pounder has put himself squarely in the mix for the top spot on the depth chart. Clemson spent camp divvying up first-team reps among Pace, Dixon and freshman Will Shipley.

“I think we saw a ton of flashes there (last season),” Elliott said. “He still needed to learn the entire package to be able to function in all the situations, particularly from a protection standpoint. But we knew it was there, and we anticipated that he was going to be a guy that was really going to push for that spot or whoever was in that lead spot.”

Pace said he feels like his pass protection has improved, and learning from Etienne last season, he said, has helped him become a more patient runner. Whether Clemson settles on a No. 1 back in the next two weeks or takes more of a committee approach this season, Pace is in line to be a bigger part of the backfield equation.

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Revisiting 5 key questions for Clemson coming out of fall camp

At the start of the month, The Clemson Insider posed five key questions facing Clemson heading into fall camp. Now that camp is over, TCI is revisiting those questions to see where the Tigers are in finding the answers. What does the QB depth look …

What does the QB depth look like?

The short answer? Much better than expected.

Taisun Phommachanh’s ruptured Achilles tendon created all sorts of uncertainty as to who would be D.J. Uiagalelei’s backup this season. After all, Phommachanh’s injury happened less than five months ago in Clemson’s spring game.

Yet Phommachanh was on the field for the Tigers’ first practice this month and hasn’t been limited much, at least from a physical standpoint. He’s been held out of tempo drills and some team periods at times, but he looked to be throwing on the run and getting more of his mobility back toward the end of camp.

Will Phommachanh travel and be available against Georgia in two weeks? Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott haven’t offered much in terms of a timetable for Phommachanh’s full return, saying only that they’re expecting him back sooner rather than later.

If not, sophomore walk-on Hunter Helms, who’s been getting second-team reps in practice when Phommachanh has been held out, would be the backup. But don’t rule out Phommachanh being ready in time for the trip to Charlotte, which would’ve been hard to believe five months ago.

Who will emerge as the featured back?

No one knows. At least coaches aren’t saying it publicly if they do.

All indications are that the competition to replace Travis Etienne atop the depth chart at running back has been heated. Swinney said early in camp that every back was still being considered for the job. Even Lyn-J Dixon and Kobe Pace, the two believed to have the best shot at it, have admitted there hasn’t been much separation.

If someone does emerge, it’s likely to be one of them. Dixon, who’s backed up Etienne the last couple of seasons, has the most experience as a senior while Pace is a talented sophomore that’s flashed in preseason scrimmages, including a powerful red-zone run in the first one where he pushed the pile for a touchdown, according to Elliott.

But true freshman Will Shipley has also rotated in with the ones at times and will have some sort of role within the offense given the kind of game-breaking speed the five-star signee possesses. Don’t be surprised if Clemson handles the carries by committee this fall.

Can Justyn Ross return to his old form?

It’s too early to adequately answer this question given Ross is barely a week into his return after getting full medical clearance and clearing COVID-19 protocols, but the early returns couldn’t be much better.

Ross participated in his first scrimmage Thursday and took what Swinney described as some “good hits” before popping right back up, a good sign for a player who’s less than eight months removed from corrective spinal fusion surgery. Swinney said Ross also turned in some explosive plays.

Simply put, Ross is one of college football’s top receivers and a first-round talent when he’s playing up to his capability. As Uiagalelei alluded to at one point during camp, Ross’ resume speaks for itself.

Clemson has plans to move Ross around to try to find all the mismatches they can for the 6-4, 205-pounder. So if Ross gets back anywhere close to being the kind of player he was as a freshman and sophomore, it completely changes the dynamic of Clemson’s offense and how teams have to go about trying to defend the Tigers.

Who will be the offensive line’s best five?

Jordan McFadden (left tackle), Will Putnam (right guard) and Walker Parks (right tackle) will be three of them, but things are still extremely fluid at the other two positions up front.

That’s primarily because the Tigers still aren’t sure which direction they want to go at center. The competition between Mason Trotter, Hunter Rayburn, Matt Bockhorst and Trent Howard continues, and Swinney didn’t rule out the possibility of it playing out all the way up until game week.

If Bockhorst ultimately wins that job, there will be another void to fill at left guard, where Bockhorst was the starter last season. Paul Tchio could slide in there as could Trotter or Rayburn if they lose out at center. Even true freshman Marcus Tate, who’s been taking some first-team reps at left guard when Bockhorst reps at center, is an option.

Swinney reiterated throughout camp that getting Clemson’s best five linemen on the field is the end game. If that means Bockhorst at center, so be it. But, for the benefit of chemistry and cohesion among the starting group, Clemson needs to make a decision sooner rather than later.

What is Fred Davis’ status with the team?

Davis was charged with reckless driving last month after Clemson police said the Tigers’ sophomore cornerback struck a mail carrier vehicle with his car and injured multiple people, a lapse in judgement that Swinney said is being handled with internal punishment.

Davis was not dismissed from the team, and he hasn’t missed any practice time (that we know of, at least). Could the misdemeanor charge cost him a game or two? Swinney declined to go into detail as to exactly what Davis’ punishment will entail, but that type of suspension is always possible.

But Davis is one of just six scholarship cornerbacks on the roster, so the depth at that position isn’t great to begin with, particularly when the Tigers play more than two corners at a time. It will be less of a concern if Davis doesn’t have to miss any game time, but if he does, keeping the group healthy will be crucial.

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Clemson gets situational as camp begins to wind down

Classes for the fall semester will start at Clemson on Wednesday, which usually signals the beginning of the end of fall camp for the Tigers on the football field. So with Tuesday’s practice being the last one in which the players had no time …

Classes for the fall semester will start at Clemson on Wednesday, which usually signals the beginning of the end of fall camp for the Tigers on the football field.

So with Tuesday’s practice being the last one in which the players had no time constraints, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney decided to use all two hours to focus on certain situations with them. That meant two-minute drills, goal-line scenarios, third-down plays, four-down territory and virtually everything in between inside the team’s indoor practice facility.

“A lot of situational work today, and it was really good for us,” Swinney said. “You don’t want to wait until you get into those situations in games and make some of these mistakes that we have been making. Go ahead and get some of that stuff exposed so that we can teach and get better from it. I don’t have any doubt our guys will do just that.”

Clemson is three days removed from its first fall scrimmage Saturday, which was dominated by the defense. Swinney said Tuesday’s practice was more competitive from an offensive standpoint, though he thought the defense still held the upper hand.

Swinney said the defense came up with a couple of interceptions off tipped balls and also won the 1- and 2-minute drills as well as a majority of the third-down reps, though the group did have what Swinney called some “boneheaded” mistakes.

Among them? A defensive back, which Swinney didn’t identify, pulling down an interception during an end-of-game situation and trying to run with the ball instead of immediately falling to the turf.

“Just situational stuff that we’ve got to teach,” Swinney said.

With classes starting in less than 24 hours, Wednesday will be a light day of work for the players before the Tigers hold their second and final full-scale scrimmage Thursday with the end of camp drawing closer. Swinney said the team will begin implementing prep for its Sept. 4 opener against Georgia into practice starting Monday before moving to full game prep toward the end of next week.

But Swinney said there are still plenty of key personnel evaluations he and his staff need to do between now and then. Clemson still needs to find a featured back in a backfield where there hasn’t been much separation among Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace and Will Shipley to this point. The Tigers also have to settle on a starter at center, which will be part of determining Clemson’s best five along the offensive line.

Those kinds of decisions are looming. Tuesday was all about putting everyone in more competitive situations to help provide the Tigers’ coaching staff more feedback before making those choices.

“A lot of work to do, but I feel good about what these guys have accomplished the last couple of weeks,” Swinney said.

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Competition rages on in Clemson’s backfield

Earlier in the week, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said there wasn’t much separation among the Tigers’ running backs, going as far as to say all of them were still in the mix to top the depth chart at that position. That apparently wasn’t just …

That apparently wasn’t just coachspeak.

While Lyn-J Dixon and Kobe Pace have been getting the bulk of the first-team reps during fall camp, true freshman Will Shipley also got some carries with the first team during Clemson’s first scrimmage Saturday. It’s making for a tight competition to replace the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, Travis Etienne, who’s now in training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“They all got in there and got some work with the ones,” Swinney said.

Dixon enters his senior season with 208 career carries while Pace, a sophomore, had 23 touches (18 carries, 5 receptions) in limited playing time as a true freshman. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott noted Pace had some impactful runs in the scrimmage, including one in the red zone where he pushed the pile for a touchdown.

“It was tough sledding today with what they were doing on defense,” Elliott said of the running game. “They had a bunch of guys around the box and playing aggressive, so we had try to do some different things — try to move the pocket, get the ball on the perimeter and use some RPO stuff.”

With the edge in experience, Dixon or Pace could be considered the favorite to be the first running back to take the field with Clemson’s offense in the season opener against Georgia on Sept. 4. But Shipley, who has consistently drawn the praise of coaches and teammates in camp for his speed and unusually advanced level of maturity for a first-year player, may be their stiffest competition.

The five-star signee, who’s been on campus since January, began camp rotating in with the second-team offense and has even gotten some first-team reps during certain team periods, but he’s not the only newcomer making an impression on Swinney and the rest of the coaching staff. Phil Mafah, another early enrollee who’s going through his second installation of the offense, repped mainly with the twos during the scrimmage, Swinney said.

Yet Swinney admitted Saturday wasn’t exactly the best situation in which to evaluate the backs and the running game as a whole. Clemson’s aggressiveness on defense was purposeful in trying to put D.J. Uiagalelei in uncomfortable situations in order to test the sophomore quarterback, so the passing game was more of the offensive focus in the first scrimmage.

That figures to change when the Tigers scrimmage again Thursday. Until then, the separation is likely to remain minimal in the backfield.

“Sometimes it’s a mixed bag because there are certain things you want to work on, and maybe it doesn’t match up to what you’re seeing on defense,” Swinney said. “Both sides are working on their stuff, you know? … So there were certain aspects we wanted to work on today.”

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How is Clemson’s running back competition shaping up?

Clemson has no small task when it comes to finding its next workhorse at running back, and whether or not a featured option even emerges in the Tigers’ backfield is still a question without an answer. But there is no shortage of candidates. Travis …

But there is no shortage of candidates.

Travis Etienne is no longer around. The ACC’s all-time leading rusher is in Florida going through his first NFL training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he likes the potential of the running backs still on his roster even if they don’t yet have the production to go with it.

The task for Swinney, offensive coordinator Tony Elliott and running backs coach C.J. Spiller over the next three weeks is settling on the depth chart there, which remains fluid six practices in.

“From top to bottom, it’s a really good group,” Swinney said. “Certainly, those top guys, they will all have an opportunity.”

Lyn-J Dixon and Kobe Pace entered fall camp listed as co-starters, and there hasn’t been much separation to speak of so far. Dixon, a senior, is the more experienced of the two having spent the last four years as Etienne’s primary backup, but Pace has gotten his fair share of reps with the first-team offense during portions of practice that have been open to the media for viewing.

Asked exactly how those first-team reps have been split between the two, Pace said it’s essentially been 50-50 but left some lines to read between with his answer. Ultimately, though, Pace said he isn’t exactly keeping count.

“I’m not going to say I’m getting the most reps because it doesn’t matter,” Pace said. “Whoever runs out there should get the job done.”

But one of Clemson’s running backs will take the field first when the Tigers open the season Sept. 4 against Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. Pace said he’s gotten more comfortable with the playbook since last season when he got 18 carries and caught seven passes in nine games as a true freshman, which he believes should help in his bid to do that.

Meanwhile, Dixon said he still wants to improve every facet of his game if he’s going to separate himself from the pack. The 5-10, 195-pounder has rushed for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns in 39 career games and ranks second only to Etienne in school history in yards per carry (6.6), but whether it’s durability, receiving skills or pass protection, Dixon said he still has a lot to prove to his coaches considering the role he’s pursuing.

“Even though I know I could be good at something, I want to be great at something,” Dixon said. “So I’m going to keep working on everything and perfecting my craft with everything I do.”

There’s also true freshman Will Shipley, who’s created plenty of buzz during camp. The five-star signee has impressed with his natural leadership skills and raw speed, which some teammates believe may be the best on the team. There’s also not quite as steep a learning curve at this point for him and fellow freshman Phil Mafa, who have been with the program since January after enrolling early.

“They don’t look like freshmen at all,” Swinney said.

Sixth-year senior Derien Rencher has largely been used as a reserve during his time with the Tigers, but Swinney said he fully trusts the 5-8, 195-pounder when he gets in a game. It’s made for plenty of heated competition that will continue among the backs as they aim for their spots in the pecking order.

“It’s like you can’t take no day off, so you’ve got to keep working and keep working hard each and every day,” Dixon said.

Swinney said every back is still in contention for the top spot on the depth chart. And given how tight the competition has been so far, he didn’t rule out the possibility of that fluidity remaining in place once the season arrives.

“All those guys have done a good job, but it’s going to be a tough competition,” Swinney said. “And it’s not like we’re going to just play one guy. That could be a game-by-game, week-by-week type of deal just based on how it all shakes out. But they can all play.”

Bulldog fans, players giving Pace ‘hell’

There has always been a lot of cross over between Clemson and Georgia in terms of recruiting which fuels the bitterness between the two schools on the gridiron. Only 73 miles separate Clemson, S.C. and Athens, Ga. and both the Tigers and Bulldogs …

There has always been a lot of cross over between Clemson and Georgia in terms of recruiting which fuels the bitterness between the two schools on the gridiron.

Only 73 miles separate Clemson, S.C. and Athens, Ga. and both the Tigers and Bulldogs recruit the same areas.

Clemson running back Kobe Pace hails from one of those areas in Cedartown, Georgia north of Atlanta.

After the Tigers’ first day in full pads at Jervey Meadows on Thursday the sophomore pointed out that Bulldog fans and players blow up his phone on a daily basis in anticipation of the renewal of the Clemson-Georgia rivalry in Charlotte on Sept. 4.

“Actually yeah, I get a lot of texts everyday talking about the game,” Pace said. “But I just put my phone down and keep working because I know what’s going to happen on September 4.”

The sophomore is in the midst of a heated competition at running back with Lyn-J Dixon, Darien Rencher, Phil Mafah and Will Shipley.

Pace noted that a couple guys giving him the most grief play defense for the Bulldogs in junior defensive back Tykee Smith who transferred from West Virginia and senior linebacker Adam Anderson.

But he went on to joke that they didn’t say anything that would harm him they just tell him to ‘be ready.’

“I have a lot of guys on the other side at Georgia so they text me and give me hell,” Pace said.

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Notebook: Day 2 observations of Clemson’s offense

Clemson returned to practice on Saturday for the second day of fall camp at the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex. Scouts from a host of NFL teams including the Broncos, Texans, Jets, Rams, Chiefs and Bengels tagged along for …

Clemson returned to practice on Saturday for the second day of fall camp at the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex.

Scouts from a host of NFL teams including the Broncos, Texans, Jets, Rams, Chiefs and Bengels tagged along for practice to observe a host of players on both sides of the ball.

Matt Bockhorst stood out for his leadership amongst the rest of the offensive line throughout individual and team drills. He mostly played left guard but also got work at other spots on the line including a rep at center.

Here are some observations from Saturday’s two and a half hour practice in helmets only without contact.

Offensive Line

Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell jumped on freshman Marcus Tate a couple of times during individual work. Bockhorst also stepped in and provided some words and wisdom for the young freshman as he works to get acclimated in a new system.
The starting line for most of the day consisted of left tackle Jordan McFadden, left guard Bockhorst, center Mason Trotter, right guard Will Putnam and right tackle Walker Parks.
The next group of offensive lineman consisted of left tackle Mitchell Mayes, left guard John Williams, center Hunter Rayburn, right guard Paul Tchio and right tackle Jordan McFadden.

Running Backs

Kobe Pace took the first team reps at running back on Saturday and looked impressive. He showed the same explosive speed Clemson fans saw in the spring game and boasts impressive size.
Pace was also the first running back to take reps in good-on-good work in the final period of practice.
The order during most of the drills and team work was Pace, Lyn-J Dixon, Darien Rencher and then Will Shipley.
Shipley’s speed is the real deal and he’s not scared to bump a little in the interior line either. He finished first in team sprints by far and turned on the jets at the second level in good on good.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Two wide receivers entered practice with yellow jerseys which means no contact or team drills and also rehab during portions of practice. Beaux Collins and Troy Stellato both wore yellow during the second day of camp.
As usual head coach Dabo Swinney doubled as a key part of the wide receiver indy period of practice. He set up dummies and equipment for the drilling period and aided wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham in instruction.
Davis Allen looked sharp at tight end with a lot of first team reps as Braden Galloway struggled at times. Allen burnt Barrett Carter on a post route in one on ones.
Frank Ladson also made a nice play on the ball on a fly route against Sheridan Jones in one on ones.
Joseph Ngata took an awkward fall after a one on one with Andrew Booth and seemed shaken up for a few minutes. But he quickly returned to action and looked fine the rest of practice.
Ajou Ajou showed his athleticism and freaky ability to make plays with a snag over the top of Andrew Mukuba. He got work at both the field and boundary positions at outside receiver.
Jaelyn Lay is a freak of nature.
The receiver group did not have the best day overall with a plethora of dropped passes.

Quarterbacks

D.J. Uiagalelei unsurprisingly made plenty of good looking throws. He threaded the needle on a few passes including a pass to E.J. Williams for a first down between two defenders in double coverage.
Uiagalelei also demonstrated his patience on making reads and not being afraid to throw to his check down routes.
Hunter Helms took the second team reps. But Taisun Phommachanh also got some work throwing in 7-on-7.
Will Taylor showed guts and was not afraid to make passes in tight window. He also broke free for a long run in team drills at the end of practice.

Team

The starting lineup was as follows in tempo drills for the offense: QB Uiagalelei, RB Pace, WR Ngata, WR Williams, WR Ladson, TE Allen, LT McFadden, LG Bockhorst, C Trotter (Rayburn and Bockort also repped), RG Putnam and RT Parks.
By the end of practice Allen took the majority of reps at tight end. Galloway ran out first in good-on-good but missed a blocking assignment on Justin Mascoll.
Clemson ran a formation where Pace split out to the field side on the outside of the set at wide receiver.

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