Lemanski Hall – Syndication Server

Top candidate emerges for Clemson’s new defensive end coach

According to reports, a top candidate has emerged for Clemson’s new defensive end coach.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are looking for a new defensive ends coach, and according to reports, a top candidate has emerged for that position.

According to reports from our friends over at the Clemson Insider, Chris Rumph has emerged as the top candidate to replace Lemanski Hall as the Tigers’ defensive ends coach. The program announced staff changes on Thursday, with the team parting ways with offensive line coach Thomas Austin and Hall.

Swinney and Rumph have a history together, with Rump being with the program from 2006-10. He was a staff member for Swinney’s first couple of seasons as head coach. Rumph was the defensive ends coach with the Tigers during that time.

Rumph is currently with the Minnesota Vikings as the defensive line coach but has been on a leave of absence for the last six weeks due to personal reasons. A great candidate for the program, we will monitor this situation closely.

Dabo Swinney shows he’s willing to do what it takes to get Clemson back to the top

Dabo Swinney is starting to do what he has to do to put Clemson in the best situation to succeed.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been one of the most questioned head coaches in college football over the past couple of seasons for his seeming unwillingness to adapt or change with the times.

According to reports, Swinney let everyone during Clemson’s team meeting on Monday that they will be evaluated on whether they are doing what it takes to live up to the standards that have allowed Clemson to become one of the top programs in the country. This hinted at changes, and it is changes we have seen.

With four players entering the transfer portal and the program now parting ways with two coaches, offensive line coach Thomas Austin and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall, changes have come. Swinney has now let go of three staff members he was close to within two seasons after a decade of not letting any of his coaches go.

“Today, I made the difficult decision to seek new leadership for the offensive line,” Swinney said. “It is my responsibility as head coach to make difficult decisions that I believe are in the best interest of our football program and the young men that comprise it. After a few days of deep thought and evaluation, I believe this was a change we needed to make.

“I love Thomas and his entire family, and Thomas has been a great representative of Clemson University and Clemson Football in every role — as a player, as a support staff member, and as a coach. On the field, he was one of the best Tigers we’ve had, and his role as a captain and as a great leader is immortalized in concrete at Tiger Walk outside Memorial Stadium. I know God has a great plan for his future.”

For Lemaski Hall, it seems the two long-time friends came to an agreement that the Tigers needed a new coach for the defensive ends.

“Lemanski Hall and I met and had a great conversation about his future and long-term goals both personally and professionally, and after great thought and discussion, we came to a mutual decision for him to seek opportunities to advance his career elsewhere,” Swinney said.

Swinney is making serious changes for the betterment of the program. While it hurts to see some of these faces go, it is important for the program’s future that Swinney makes the moves he deems necessary.

Clemson football announces staff changes

Clemson football has announced some staff changes.

CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Dabo Swinney announced today that Lemanski Hall and Thomas Austin will not return to Clemson’s coaching staff in 2024. Full statements on the personnel changes effective this week are included below.

STATEMENT FROM DABO SWINNEY ON LEMANSKI HALL:
“Lemanski Hall and I met and had a great conversation about his future and long-term goals both personally and professionally, and after great thought and discussion, we came to a mutual decision for him to seek opportunities to advance his career elsewhere.

“I am so thankful for Ski and his wife, Leslie, and their family. Lemanski and I have been almost lifelong friends back to 1989 and he is someone I love like a brother. I’m appreciative and thankful for the impact he has had here at Clemson.

“Since joining our program as an analyst in 2015, he has been part of six College Football Playoff teams, seven ACC title teams, four national championship game appearances and two national titles. Since becoming an on-field coach in 2018, he has coached and recruited great players like Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Myles Murphy and so many others, and I am proud of the work he did in developing potential Freshman All-American T.J. Parker this year.

“I am grateful for both his impact here and for his friendship, and I wish him nothing but the best with his next endeavor.”

STATEMENT FROM LEMANSKI HALL:
“I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity that Clemson has given me over the past nine years.

“Clemson has been so good to me and my family, and my wife and I want to thank the entire Clemson Family for being such a blessing in our lives. I also want to especially thank Coach Swinney and his wife, Kathleen, for welcoming us the way they have for almost a decade. I similarly want to thank Graham Neff, President Clements and the Board of Trustees for their faith in me representing this university for so many years.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish here. I am so thankful for all of the young men that have been in our program, and I hope I’ve been able to impact them as positively as they have impacted me. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and my family moving forward.”

STATEMENT FROM DABO SWINNEY ON THOMAS AUSTIN:
“Today, I made the difficult decision to seek new leadership for the offensive line. It is my responsibility as head coach to make difficult decisions that I believe are in the best interest of our football program and the young men that comprise it. After a few days of deep thought and evaluation, I believe this was a change we needed to make.

“I love Thomas and his entire family, and Thomas has been a great representative of Clemson University and Clemson Football in every role — as a player, as a support staff member and as a coach. On the field, he was one of the best Tigers we’ve had, and his role as a captain and as a great leader is immortalized in concrete at Tiger Walk outside Memorial Stadium. I know God has a great plan for his future.

“I’m incredibly excited about our group of offensive linemen which could have seven players who have started significant time for us, and I look forward to seeing them continue their growth.”

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson defensive assistant coach Lemanski Hall won’t return for the 2024 season

Clemson defensive assistant coach Lemanski Hall won’t return for the Tigers next season.

After this season, the Clemson football program has announced that defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall will not return to the Tigers.

Hall earned the defensive end coaching position in 2018 following being in an analyst role for a few seasons prior. He and Swinney were teammates at Alabama, where Hall was a standout on the Crimson Tide’s 1992 National Championship-winning team.

“I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity that Clemson has given me over the past nine years,” said Hall.

We wish Hall the best in his future.

Tigers ‘definitely at the top’ for Alabama DL after visit, offer

Among the prospects who visited Clemson for the Syracuse game last Saturday and left campus with an offer from the Tigers in tow is Malik Blocton, a standout defensive tackle in the 2024 class from Pike Road (Ala.) High School. Clemson defensive …

Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason paid special attention to Blocton when he participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, and Blocton received an offer from Auburn via Eason back in October 2021 when Eason was still on the coaching staff there.

Pike Road (Ala.) High School 2024 DL Malik Blocton with Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason at Death Valley on Saturday, Oct. 22 (photo courtesy of Malik Blocton)

So the two have a longstanding relationship, and it was Eason who conveyed the Clemson offer to Blocton (6-3, 270) on Saturday.

“Coach Eason told me I had the offer,” Blocton told The Clemson Insider, “and I was really excited when I got it.”

As for Blocton’s trip to Tiger Town on Saturday, it was highlighted by Clemson’s head coach.

“This visit was really fun, and the highlight of the visit was getting to meet Coach Swinney,” Blocton said.
“His energy is amazing!”

The three coaches Blocton spoke with the most while on campus were Eason, defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, all of whom he feels treated him like a priority prospect.

“They all were very excited about me,” Blocton said, “and they made me feel like I wasn’t just any other player.”

Blocton has also been to Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee this season.

Along with Clemson, Auburn and Tennessee, he has brought in offers from schools such as Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, Missouri and Maryland among his 20-plus total offers.

Where does Clemson stand with Blocton following a great visit and big offer last Saturday?

“Clemson is definitely at the top of my offer list,” he said.

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One of the nation’s top athletes gets first feel for Clemson

Clemson played host to one of the nation’s top prospects in the class of 2024 for its top-10 showdown against NC State on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Memorial Stadium. Buford (Ga.) four-star edge rusher/tight end KingJoseph Edwards was in attendance for …

Clemson played host to one of the nation’s top prospects in the class of 2024 for its top-10 showdown against NC State on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Memorial Stadium.

Buford (Ga.) four-star edge rusher/tight end KingJoseph Edwards was in attendance for Clemson’s 30-20 win over NC State this past weekend.

Edwards, a 6-foot-5, 242-pound junior, who is considered to be the nation’s No. 4 athlete and No. 12 overall prospect in the class of 2024, recapped his first game day experience in The Valley in an interview with The Clemson Insider.

“It was a good game,” Edwards wrote in a message. “To see two teams who were undefeated go for it play for play is always great to see. Ultimately, Clemson was better at moving the ball. The defense was strapped and they ended up winning with no problem, very impressive. The defense is physically aggressive. They did a really good job.”

What did Edwards enjoy the most about his first Clemson experience?

“Speaking with Coach Ski, looking at campus and the energy of the fans during the game!” he said.

Edwards was finally able to meet with Clemson defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall, who reached out to him less than 24 hours after the clock struck midnight on Sept. 1, when college coaches could begin directly contacting juniors in the class of 2024 like himself.

“I’m the type of player he’s looking for,” Edwards said when asked what he was able to hear from Hall. “He asked if I preferred DE over TE and I told him I currently play both sides and don’t have a preference yet.”

Now that Edwards was finally able to take in his first unofficial visit to Clemson, what is just his overall impressions of the program?

“A very good program,” he said. “Focused on academics and the success of players, after football isn’t an option anymore. They speak about football not lasting forever and creating a platform for you to be successful, even after you finish playing.”

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Clemson commit ‘felt a part of the team’ during first game visit to Death Valley

This Clemson commit plans on being at just about every home game this season. After attending Clemson’s 35-12 win over Furman this past Saturday at Memorial Stadium, College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star defensive end A.J. Hoffler recapped …

This Clemson commit plans on being at just about every home game this season.

After attending Clemson’s 35-12 win over Furman this past Saturday at Memorial Stadium, College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star defensive end A.J. Hoffler recapped his latest experience on campus for what was his first-ever home game in The Valley.

“It was really cool,” Hoffler told The Clemson Insider regarding his Clemson gameday experience. “I’ve seen videos of it, but it wasn’t like anything I’ve seen on video because I was actually there in person. It was my first time getting to see all of it and seeing how the fans are in person and all the chants. It was a really good experience.”

“They let us get on the hill right next to the players,” Hoffler added. “It felt like I was about to run down the hill. I was real excited. I wish I could’ve, but I’ll get my chance soon.”

Hoffler has been to two Clemson games in five days. He was in attendance for the Tigers’ 41-10 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Monday, Sept. 5.

“That was real cool,” Hoffler said. “That was technically the first Clesmon game I’ve ever been to, even though it wasn’t a home game, that was my first time getting to see them play in person. It was really cool, especially because they beat Georgia Tech pretty good. I was cheering along with all the fans. It was fun.”

Was there anything that stood out to him about the way Clemson’s defensive line played as a whole?

“It was more so the last game when I saw that,” he said. “(Furman) was running a weird (offense) — so they really didn’t get to do just straight-up pass rushes. It wasn’t as much of that this week, I don’t think, as there was last week, but out of the two weeks, I was really impressed with the energy from the d-tackles and how much they were moving around. I was real impressed with the d-line and Coach (Wesley) Goodwin. I think Coach (Nick) Eason calls the d-line stunts, but I was real impressed with all of that.”

After Clemson’s 23-point win over Furman this past Saturday, Hoffler had a chance to be in the locker room postgame. He got a chance to see Clemson coach Dabo Swinney speak to his team after the game, as well as the dancing that went on postgame.

“I felt a part of the team,” Hoffler said. “I was right in there with all of them.”

That’s something Clemson has done a good job of in recruiting Hoffler. As much as Clemson can do within the NCAA rules, the Tigers have made Hoffler feel like he’s already a part of the team. Especially when considering that most of the current players on the roster already have an idea who the standout Peach State edge rusher is.

While the coaching staff was happy to see Hoffler back in The Valley Saturday, defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall was in attendance for his Woodward Academy team’s 28-21 win over Marist (Atlanta) on Friday. After a performance in which, according to Hoffler, he recorded three sacks and five tackles (one for loss), it should be noted that the coaching staff can’t wait to get him on campus.

“He was really pleased with my game and he just showed me one thing that I could work on,” Hoffler said.

According to Hoffler, he’s recorded between four or five sacks through the first three games of his senior season. While he admitted that he could have more sacks, he acknowledged that he just needs to clean up some technical things that’ll help him once he gets to college.

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Alabama lineman hopes he’s ‘making progress’ with Clemson, ‘would love’ to visit Death Valley

Dabo Swinney’s camp was the most helpful camp of the summer for this fast-rising Alabama defensive lineman. Daphne (Alabama) Bayside Academy’s Graham Uter – a 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior in the class of 2024 -participated in the June 1 session of …

Dabo Swinney’s camp was the most helpful camp of the summer for this fast-rising Alabama defensive lineman.

Daphne (Alabama) Bayside Academy’s Graham Uter — a 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior in the class of 2024 —participated in the June 1 session of Swinney Camp — and feels like he can implement what he learned into his game for this season.

“I had a good time there,” Uter told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview last month. “I learned a lot there from Coach (Brandon) Streeter, Coach (Thomas) Austin, Coach (Nick) Eason and Coach (Lemanski) Hall. It was real organized and it opened my eyes to the college level and it made me realize that it’s possible for me to get there. It was just a great time.”

Was there anything in particular that stood out to Uter about his time at Clemson earlier this summer?

“It was a very organized camp and the competition was real high,” he said. “Probably the best competition that I had all summer there. The coaches and players were real involved with the camp, which was real nice.”

Uter worked out with the defensive line and said that he received some “good feedback” from the likes of Eason and Hall. They taught him a lot during his session at Swinney Camp, especially relating to his quickness and using his hands, knees and hips.

“It was just a great experience overall to talk to them,” Uter added. “They were teaching me stuff, pointers and things like that. What to keep working on to get film out. They were really good coaches. They were really involved with the camp and I really thought that they taught the stuff well. And they were real active with the players. They were great.”

As it relates to Clemson, Uter did inform us that one of the Tigers’ recruiting staffers told him that he’d be added to the defensive linemen recruiting board, which he said was “awesome to hear.”

“The recruiting coordinator from Clemson sent me a prospect questionnaire a couple of weeks ago,” Uter recently said in a message. “So, I hope I’m making progress with them.”

In addition to Clemson, Uter camped at schools like LSU, Troy, UAB, Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama and Mississippi College.

He said that this summer’s experiences opened up his eyes to just how important recruiting is. Since then, Uter has been keeping in touch with coaches from Troy and UAB. He feels like this season will be big for him and his recruitment, considering that it’s his junior season. Sept. 1 will obviously be an indicator of what schools are interested in Uter going forward.

“I feel like this is my year to show all the (college) coaches that I’m a good player and that I deserve this,” Uter said. “And to show them that I’m worth college football.”

Getting a better feel for Uter and his game, he’s a big guy in the trenches, who can play the 3-tech (twitchier interior defender), nose tackle and defensive end. Not only is he tough and physical, but he’s good with his hands.

While Uter is focused on his junior campaign, he is also keeping an eye on potential game day visits. A visit to Memorial Stadium for a Clemson game day this fall could be in the cards.

“I would love to do that,” he said. “That would be amazing. I love that campus.”

— Photo for this article courtesy of @graham_uter on Twitter.

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In-state DL on Clemson’s radar talks recruitment, Swinney Camp experience

Clemson was the first stop of the summer for a standout in-state defensive lineman recruit, who will be on the Tigers’ recruiting radar going forward. Greenville (S.C.) High’s Jayden Wilson-Abrams – a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman in the …

Clemson was the first stop of the summer for a standout in-state defensive lineman recruit, who will be on the Tigers’ recruiting radar going forward.

Greenville (S.C.) High’s Jayden Wilson-Abrams — a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman in the class of 2024 — participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp on June 1.

“I did both sessions,” Wilson-Abrams told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview earlier this summer. “(The camp) went pretty well. I learned a lot from the coaches, as well as getting used to that heat because it is very hot down there.”

In the first session, Wilson-Abrams was with the B-group, but it wasn’t long before he got moved up to the top group of defensive linemen. That’s when Lemanski Hall was teaching Wilson-Abrams a multitude of things, including how to wash opposing offensive lineman’s hands and keep going outside to keep that edge.

“Coach Hall, during the camp, I got to see how he is,” Wilson-Abrams said of Clemson’s defensive ends coach. “He really wants his players to work hard, but also listen to what he says, so we’re able to progress as well. He knows what he’s doing. So, when I was at the camp and I got moved in the second session, Coach Hall, was really on me, telling me what I needed to do, and how to do this. And then when I did good, high-five and dap me up.”

This wasn’t Wilson-Abrams’ first time at Clemson, as he participated in last summer’s Swinney camp and was in attendance for a game day at Memorial Stadium during the 2021 season.

“I like the atmosphere there,” he said. “I went to the Florida State game and the atmosphere with Dabo talking to us, I always get that family atmosphere when I’m always there. There’s a bond. It’s just light in there.”

Going forward, Clemson is going to keep an eye on how Wilson-Abrams performs during his junior season. He said that the Tigers are not ready to offer him just, but he’s confident that Clemson will keep a watchful eye on his progress, being that he’s in their backyard.

With that said, what would a potential scholarship offer from Clesmon mean for him and his recruitment?

“That would be…the most enthusiastic thing ever,” Wilson-Abrams said. “I might be jumping for joy if I got an offer from Clemson, honestly. I would be extremely happy.”

As far as Wilson-Abrams’ current recruitment is concerned, he said that he’s received a lot more interest from schools across the country compared to last year around this time. In addition to Clemson, Wilson-Abrams mentioned schools like Wake Forest, Georgia, UNC Charlotte, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Michigan and West Virginia, as those showing interest in him.

“This will be a humongous year (for my recruitment),” he said. “Especially since I got a lot more interest. A lot of coaches are looking at me. So, I need to step my game up and just show out.”

Wilson-Abrams transferred to Greenville High after spending his previous two seasons at Wren. As a sophomore, he recorded 59 tackles (four for loss), 3.5 sacks and 10 hurries. Greenville, which is one of the top programs in the state, opened up its season Friday in a 53-28 loss at Dorman.

“Greenville, of course, is a bigger school so that means bigger competition,” Wilson-Abrams said prior to his junior season. “With my teammates and coaches, they all got that different mentality that I would like to have — just that dawg mentality. So, that’ll also help me progress and work forward, so I’m able to do what I’m able to do (this season).”

Getting a better feel for Wilson-Abrams and his game, he said that he likes to use his strength and speed and play inside and out and go down opposing offensive lineman’s chest. At his size, Wilson-Abrams has the versatility to play all around Greenville’s front seven, inside, outside, linebacker, whatever you need him to play.

One of my 1v1 reps at camp. @GregPort17 @train0187 @WillieLyles @CoachPrioleauVT @CoachKLewDL @CoachEason1 @MySportsCulture @LeeWardlawNews @pepman704 @JA_Adams06 @CarsonHall93 @coachski_ @CoachLindsey @CoachToddBates @MageeCoach @coachkeith_1k pic.twitter.com/PrtiLEDAII

— Jayden Wilson-Abrams (@JaydenWA2) July 10, 2022

Newly offered 4-star Alabama DE dishes on Clemson offer, talks official visit plans

Dabo Swinney’s staff is rather unlikely to offer a prospect that’s already pledged their commitment elsewhere. That’s why Swinney and Co. waited until after Phenix City (Alabama) Central High’s Tomarrion Parker walked back his pledge from Penn State …

Parker — a 6-foot-4, 250-pound rising senior — reported the offer from the Tigers via social media this past Thursday, Aug. 11. He currently ranks as the nation’s No. 4 defensive lineman and the No. 49 overall prospect in the 2023 class, per 247Sports.

“I always wanted to say that Clemson offered,” Parker told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Saturday evening. “We’ve been talking for a little while and once I decommitted, some of the commits, some of my friends that I know — Peter Woods and (Christopher) Vizzina — they hit me up and they was like, ‘Bro, would you be interested in Clemson?’

“Are you kidding me? Of course!”

Once Parker expressed interest in Clemson, Lemanski Hall and Nick Eason became more involved in his recruitment. Shortly thereafter, the Tigers pulled the trigger on a scholarship offer.

“I was very excited about that,” Parker added.

What has Clemson’s defensive ends coach’s message been to Parker, since the Tigers have re-entered the picture?

“He’s losing four guys (Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry, Myles Murphy and Justin Mascoll) this year to the NFL, so he needs players who are ready to come in and play early, play right away,” Parker said, “and he feels like I’m a guy that can do that. He’s gonna recruit me hard and I really like that and respect that — saying that the defensive room is open next year. That’s a great opportunity to go into.”

Parker will certainly be keeping an eye on the production of the defensive ends mentioned above and how they develop as the season goes.

“I definitely rock with Coach Hall and Coach Eason,” Parker continued. “We’ve been talking for well over a year now. We’ve gotten to know each other real well. He knows my family real well and we talk all the time. We’ve been talking every day since I decommitted and before that, whenever we was talking, we was talking constantly. I really like Coach Hall. He’s a great coach. I feel like if I was to go to Clemson, he could get me to where I want to be in life.”

In addition to Hall, both Woods and Vizzina are coming after Parker and coming after him hard. The duo of Yellowhammer State five-stars is looking to add another Alabama native to Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class, especially after Hunter Osborne elected to commit to the University of Alabama over Swinney’s program earlier this month.

“Me and Peter talked about this a long time ago,” Parker said. “We talked about this last year. Since some things have started happening, I could definitely make that happen. But right now, I’m just taking my time with everything. Me and Peter talked about this a long time ago.”

Parker made it clear that his original commitment to Penn State wasn’t tied to him wanting to be committed prior to his senior season. Now that he’s back to reevaluating his options, it’s worth noting that Parker has four remaining official visits.

He “definitely will” use one of those four remaining official visits to Clemson. Parker has a bye the weekend of Oct. 22, which just happens to be when Clemson plays host to Syracuse at Memorial Stadium.

“I’m gonna try to see if my dad can take off that weekend, so we can get down there,” he said.

Parker said that the University of Tennessee, Georgia and Florida will be getting those other three remaining official visits.