Tag: Matt Bockhorst

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.

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Swinney provides injury updates ahead of Friday’s practice

Dabo Swinney was more than excited to address reporters as he gets set to begin his 19th year at Clemson and his 13th as the Tigers’ head coach. Friday marked the beginning of fall camp, which is just 29 days before the start of Clemson’s season …

Dabo Swinney was more than excited to address reporters as he gets set to begin his 19th year at Clemson and his 13th as the Tigers’ head coach.

Friday marked the beginning of fall camp, which is just 29 days before the start of Clemson’s season opener against Georgia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (N.C.) on Sept. 4.

Swinney’s first order of business was updating the status of star wide receiver Justyn Ross, who has officially been cleared to play football.

“It’s unbelievable watching his journey,” Swinney said. “18 months to get to this point. I’m just incredibly thankful for the amazing doctors that he’s had. But, he’s put the work in.”

Ross’s doctor has given him full clearance to return. It’s been 18 long months since doctors discovered a congenital fusion in his spine. Ross underwent corrective surgery, which kept him out for the entirety of the 2020 season. 

While he’s now been medically cleared, there’s still another hurdle that Ross has to get past. The talented wideout is now in COVID-19 protocol. Swinney is hopeful that Ross will be able to rejoin the team for practice come next Friday.

Swinney addressed the news of reserve offensive lineman Tayquon Johnson tearing his pectoral muscle, which required surgery. He referred to it as a “long-term” injury.

Clemson also came away with some other good injury news, or as Swinney called it “another miracle.” 

Backup quarterback Taisun Phommachanh (Achillies) is ahead of schedule and has responded well to his treatment. 

“He looks great,” Swinney said. “He’s been cleared to do certain aspects of practice as well. Again, I don’t have a date or anything, all I can tell you is that he’s going to be back sooner than later. What went from an immediate, horrible mindset in the spring…I’m excited that he’ll have an opportunity to be back.”

Swinney also gave up an update on defensive lineman DeMonte Capeheart, who underwent a knee scope. Everything came back clean, so he’s on the fast track to returning, but he’ll be about for the immediate future from a practice standpoint. 

As for wide receiver Brannon Spector, Swinney characterized him as “a lot better,” since the spring. However, he’s not out of the woods just yet. He’s currently in COVID-19 protocol and hasn’t been cleared. In all likelihood, he won’t be participating in camp. 

Those were all the noteworthy injuries. The Clemson Insider, along with the rest of the media, had access to Friday’s practice. Those that were in green non-contact jerseys include but are not limited to linebacker Braylon Spector, offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst, defensive lineman Payton Page and wide receiver Beaux Collins.

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Bockhorst not holding back feelings on opening against Georgia

No one understands Clemson’s motto, “The next game is always the biggest game because it is the next game,” better than left guard Matt Bockhorst. With that being said, the redshirt senior is not going to act like he and his teammates are not …

No one understands Clemson’s motto, “The next game is always the biggest game because it is the next game,” better than left guard Matt Bockhorst.

With that being said, the redshirt senior is not going to act like he and his teammates are not excited to face a top 5 team in the Georgia Bulldogs to kick off the new season. The Tigers, who will also be a top 5 team when the Associated Press’ preseason poll is released later this month, play Georgia on Sept. 4 in the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff Classic from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

This will be the first meeting between the two rivals since 2014.

“I think that is something Clemson fans and Georgia fans have been waiting for ever since they played last,” Bockhorst said. “So, to be able to have this opportunity in the first weekend of the season, and the spectacle that it will be, is very exciting.”

Clemson is the overwhelming favored to win the ACC Championship and make the College Football Playoff for a seventh straight year, while the Bulldogs are predicted to be Alabama’s biggest challenger in the SEC. The winner of this game will have an inside track at one of the four CFP spots.

“It is great to play a team like Georgia because it tests our oil quick,” Bockhorst said. “It is not a tune up game. We are going to see right off the bat where we stand. Given the fact that we have a lot of young guys stepping into critical roles, I think it is going to be a good experience.

“Regardless of the outcomes, and obviously, we want to win, and we are going to prepare to win, but regardless, I think, it is going to leave us with a good barometer on where we stand.”

Clemson and Georgia kick off at 7:30 p.m., and the game will be televised by ABC as the Primetime Game of the Week. It will also be the featured game on ESPN’s College GameDay Show, the premier pregame show in college football.

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Trenches will set tone between Clemson-Georgia

The Clemson offensive line faces a tall test in week one against Georgia when it squares up with one of the best defensive lines in the country. But Matt Bockhorst and his unit are up for the task, and he got excited talking about the two colliding …

The Clemson offensive line faces a tall test in week one against Georgia when it squares up with one of the best defensive lines in the country.

But Matt Bockhorst and his unit are up for the task, and he got excited talking about the two colliding in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 4.

“That battle is going to dictate the pace of the game, which is great because that’s the essence of football, what happens in the trenches. We’ve got a formidable opponent but as do they,” Bockhorst said at the ACC Kickoff last week.

The Tigers experienced highs and lows on the offensive line last season as it proved one of the best pass protecting units in the country but also struggled at times and finished the year with a rough outing in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State.

But offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell returns a lot of experience up front this season despite losing left tackle Jackson Carman to the NFL Draft and the graduation of center Cade Stewart.  The unit returns Bockhorst for a fifth season, junior Will Putnam and redshirt junior Jordan McFadden.

Entering fall camp the unit is poised to find the best fit at center and Caldwell hopes to see McFadden take ownership at left tackle.

Bockhorst knows the importance of camp this fall ahead of the marquee matchup to kick off the season.

“You know what this camp is going to speak volumes about where we stand in that regard and we are going to be ready on Sept. 4 to execute,” Bockhorst said. “Definitely a worthy opponent and not somebody we can’t look past.”

Jordan Davis anchors the Bulldogs’ defensive line and received plenty of preseason hype with first team All-America honors by Phil Steele, second team honors by the Walter Camp Foundation and a spot on the watchlists for the Nagurski Award and Outland Trophy.

And while Bockhorst feels preseason awards are often merited it doesn’t carry any weight when the Tigers and Bulldogs renew their historic rivalry in Charlotte.

“Obviously people see potential in great players and that’s why a lot of times you get accolades but sometimes that’s not the case,” Bockhorst said “I always try to be wary of that but I know they’ve got some great players up front and we are really looking forward to it.”

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Bockhorst provides offensive outlook, anticipates having ‘an explosive’ offense

Matt Bockhorst had plenty to say during the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte on Thursday. Bockhorst came to the defense and praised his own unit, but he also took time to commend all the pieces and position groups around him offensively. He provided quite …

Matt Bockhorst had plenty to say during the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte on Thursday.

Bockhorst came to the defense and praised his own unit, but he also took time to commend all the pieces and position groups around him offensively.

He provided quite the offensive outlook from running back to tight end to wide receiver, giving a mini-preview of each position group.

Clemson’s starting left guard was asked what type of offense he expects to hit the ground running when the Tigers are back in Charlotte to face off against Georgia on Sept. 4.

“An explosive one,” Bockhorst said, without much hesitation.

Bockhorst acknowledged the high-profile losses that Clemson has experienced on the offensive side of the ball. Everyone that the Tigers had drafted in April’s NFL draft was on offense: Trevor Lawrence, Tarvis Etienne, Jackson Carman, Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell.

Clemson’s anchor on the offensive line really went into detail about what to expect out of the Tigers backfield, especially for life beyond Etienne.

“We got some pretty good young guys too,” Bockhorst said. “That guy over there D.J. [Uiagalelei] playing quarterback, he’s not too shabby. And then from a running back perspective, I’m even more excited because of the amount of guys that we have. I think that you’re going to see a running back by committee and that’s fantastic because you can just keep going, you can keep going. We’ve got some young guys and old guys. Lyn-J’s been here for a long time. You got guys like [true freshman running back] Will Shipley coming in that are going to compete.”

Bockhorst spoke highly of senior running back Lyn-J Dixon, who was named as one of 82 players on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented to the nation’s top running back at the end of the season. 

Dixon enters the 2021 season as the elder statesman in Clemson’s running back room. For his Clemson career, he has 1,372 rushing yards on 208 career attempts with 13 rushing touchdowns. 

“Lyn-J Dixon, I love that dude,” Bockhorst said. “He’s great. Everyone’s given the attention to Travis over the past four years and Travis was an exceptional player, but Lyn-J has had a pretty big role too. He’s made some big plays and he’s got the ability too. But at the same time, I think to have the depth..to have the ability to do that is something that most teams don’t have. Since we have this depth and we’ve got 3,4,5 guys that can play, that changes the dynamic.”

Bockhorst doesn’t know if Dixon will be the first guy out there against Georgia but made it clear that he doesn’t believe that the first guy who’s in the backfield will matter much because of an expected rotation. That very well may include a couple of true freshmen.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Shipley is the newcomer that excites Bockhorst the most.

“I really like Will,” he said. “I think that once again, talking about having success as a young guy in this program, you come in and relentlessly work hard and you’ll find a way. Not to mention that he’s an incredibly talented guy and I just think that a lot of guys respect the way that he carries himself. We got a deep running back room, a very deep running back room, but I’m excited to see the way he competes this year and I really believe that he’s going to be a strong contributor for our team.”

Speaking of newcomers, Bockhorst was asked just about his early impressions from freshmen offensive linemen Dietrick Pennington and Tristan Leigh thus far.

“Obviously, they’re huge,” Bockhorst said. “I just think it’s good to see some size walk through the door. I know that was something that we wanted to emphasize and you can tell that they’re recruiting that, so that’s good to see. Obviously, they’re both specimens. Dietrick, you just look at the dude, he looks like he plays in the NFL.

“Those dudes have really fit in and kind of just made it work. It’s hard for freshmen anytime, but they’ve done a really good job of getting with the program and falling in line. I’m excited about both of those guys and Tristan as well. Obviously, you can see why he was a highly recruited, very twitchy guy. I’m excited about those and hopefully, they can potentially help this camp. You never know.”

From there, Bockhorst wanted to make sure he acknowledged just how stacked Clemson is at the tight end position.

“I think this is the best tight end group, without question, that we’ve had during my time here,” he said. “We’ve got really good players, but we’ve got a variety of types of players. 

“You got [senior] Braden Galloway, who’s more of a receiving type. [Redshirt senior] Luke Price is back from a torn ACL, he’s that more fullback type of guy. [Junior] Davis Allen can do it all and we got [freshman Jake] Briningstool, we got [redshirt freshman] Sage Ennis. We’re loaded at tight end, we have plenty at tight end.”

Last, but certainly not least is the wide receiver position. 

There obviously remain some health concerns with the unit headed into fall camp, but if the receivers can avoid that injury bug stipulation, they have quite the season ahead of them.

“That’s Clemson’s brand is the receivers,” Bockhorst said. “If we’re healthy like we’re supposed to be, then good luck to anybody else.”

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Behind the scenes at ACC Kickoff

Clemson took center stage at the 2021 ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday when Atlantic Division coaches and players met with the media at the Westin Charlotte. Take a behind-the-scenes look at Clemson’s representatives at the ACC Kickoff in Bart …

Clemson took center stage at the 2021 ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday when Atlantic Division coaches and players met with the media at the Westin Charlotte.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Clemson’s representatives at the ACC Kickoff in Bart Boatwright’s photo gallery for The Clemson Insider: LINK.

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Swinney warns expanded CFP will lead to more optouts

Dabo Swinney has never been a fan of the College Football Playoff, even though his program has benefitted from it more than anyone. Clemson is the only program in the CFP era to play in six consecutive playoffs. Four times the Tigers have reached …

Dabo Swinney has never been a fan of the College Football Playoff, even though his program has benefitted from it more than anyone.

Clemson is the only program in the CFP era to play in six consecutive playoffs. Four times the Tigers have reached the championship game and twice they won it all.

But Swinney isn’t naïve to understand what kind of toll it has on his players. Making deep runs into the playoff means the Tigers have played two and sometimes three more games a year than the average team. That is three more games and many more practices in which the players are subjected to the brutal and physical nature of the game.

So, when a CFP working group committee recommended expanding the playoff from four teams to 12, Swinney took issues with it and stepped up for his players.

“If we are going to expand more games in the playoff, then we need to talk to about less games in the regular season,” Swinney said at the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte on Thursday. “That is my opinion.”

The Clemson coach said adding games, adding practices, lengthening the season, it is not what is best for the players. Earlier this week, Swinney indicated most of his players are against expanding the CFP to 12 teams.

Clemson is one of the few teams in the country where its players have a better idea of what an expanded playoff means for their physical wellbeing.

“I would say I definitely share Coach Swinney’s sentiment, that I don’t necessarily feel comfortable adding another game,” Clemson left guard Matt Bockhorst said. “I think if we’re going to talk about expansion of the playoff, we also need to consider shortening the regular season.

“As an offensive lineman, when you start getting up to 14, 15 games, that’s quite a few snaps. Given the situation we were presented with last year with lack of depth, the snaps added up quickly. That’s some wear and tear on your body that’s hard to describe. I’m not here to get anyone’s pity, but it’s much easier said than done. That’s where I stand.”

Swinney feels adding more games to the playoff will result in seeing more and more high-profile players opting out, something that did not really happen in college football until the sport ditched the old BCS format and added the CFP in 2014.

“Now it is all about the playoff. My main thing is that (college football) was never about that,” Swinney said. “It was always about getting to the postseason. Having a great season. Winning your league, winning your rivalry games, having the best finish you can have and if you are fortunate enough to get in that conversation it would play out. I think that is what made college football unique. The more we go then the more it is just the NFL.

“Now you have guys opting out. Nobody opted out before the four-team playoff. And I am on record, I was not for the four-team playoff. I thought the BCS got it right.”

What is the solution? How can college football prevent more and more players from opting out of the playoff and bowl games in the future?

“Let’s find a way to protect the bowls. Maybe we incentivize the bowls. I don’t know,” Swinney said.

What Swinney does know is they better figure something out or it is going to hurt college football.

“I have been a part of every scenario and when it went to a four-team playoff, you better worry. And now, all of sudden, it is all about the playoff,” he said. “Now you go to twelve and it is really about the playoff. I will predict that you will probably have kids optout of the playoffs, especially if you expand the season.

“Whatever the system, all the smart people working on it, whatever they put out, we are going to get ready to go play and go compete and embrace whatever. But, I think, we need to move past having the conversation of what Coach Swinney thinks or what Coach Saban thinks or whoever and what they think about expansion. I don’t think it matters because that train is out the gate. I think the conversation now is what is best for the player.”

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