Cross-training across positions shows Clemson defensive line’s diversity

The possibilities are endless with enough creativity and talent.

The one thing about football is that the position groups are fairly rigid. Basketball players can play at the point guard one possession and, if they have the size, small forward the next. Same with soccer, hockey, and Lacrosse, to name a few (except for goalie/keeper, of course).

In football, an offensive lineman rarely makes a jump to a skill position or vice versa. However, cross-training within the position is becoming more popular. Defensive backs regularly train at corner, safety, and nickel; OL train at tackle, guard, center, and so on. Not only does it help players diversify their own talents, but it grants them a better understanding of the roles around them and how they fit together in the bigger picture.

The trick is having enough talent to do so without dipping in the quality of play, and Clemson has excelled at it, especially on the defensive line. During Dabo Swinney’s Media Outing, Clemson’s defensive run game coordinator, Nick Eason, commented on the subject. “That is the unique thing about choosing Clemson if you are a high school kid… We cross-train all of our defensive linemen to be able to play across the line, so Peter and a lot of our guys can play inside and outside,” said Eason.

Peter Woods is the player Eason is referring to. After losing Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll at defensive end, Woods, among others, will play some DE this season. “[Woods] is not the only one,” Eason said. “Payton Page can play outside and in, as well as Tre Williams, and as well as a lot of other defensive linemen that are big and athletic and can play inside and outside.”

The Tigers can cross-train at a high level because of how well they recruit the position. “I want athletic defensive linemen that can play across the line of scrimmage,” said Eason. “that is how we will kind of utilize [Woods]. That helps us anytime you can play multiple positions.”

Eason explained that defensive tackles moving outside will “be based on the opponent week-to-week,” so Woods will still have playing time on the inside. If Eason wanted, they could go a step forward and make decisions play-to-play. The possibilities[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media] are endless with enough creativity and talent.

Wes Goodwin and Nick Eason earn raises, among the top-paid assistant coaches in college football

Clemson coaching staff contracts have been released, with Goodwin and Eason earning raises.

The Clemson football program has made some adjustments to their coaching staff contracts and salaries, with Clemson University’s Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approving these moves recently.

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen comes for defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, who was granted a $550,000 salary increase, boosting his annual earnings from $850,000 to $1.4 million. A huge jump for the defensive coordinator after an excellent defensive season.

Another coach getting a big raise is defensive ends coach Nick Eason. Earning a $300,000 raise, Eason is now up to 1.1 million for the upcoming season. Check out all of Clemson’s changes below.

Clemson Football Coaches Compensation:

Approval of contractual changes for Football Staff:

  • Wesley Goodwin, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: increase from $850,000 to $1,400,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Nick Eason, Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Tackles
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: increase from $800,000 to $1,100,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Mike Reed, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: increase from $800,000 to $900,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Mickey Conn, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: increase from $800,000 to $900,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Garrett Riley, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Kyle Richardson, Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: increase from $500,000 to $600,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Tyler Grisham, Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: increase from $450,000 to $550,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • CJ Spiller, Running Backs Coach
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: increase from $450,000 to $550,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Joey Batson, Director of Football Strength & Conditioning
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2027
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Robbie Caldwell, Director of High School Relations & Player Development
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Jeff Davis, Director of Football Player Relations/External Affairs
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Mike Dooley, Associate Athletic Director/Football Administration
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • DJ Gordon, Director of Football Operations/Creative Media
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: increase from $250,000 to $270,000
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Woody McCorvey, Chief of Staff
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Danny Pearman, Director of Football Scouting
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

 

  • Jordan Sorrells, Senior Director of Football Recruiting
  • Term: Add 1 year through 1/31/2026
  • Total compensation: no change
  • Buyout: Full guarantee with mitigation
  • Bonus: standard bonus structure

Dabo Swinney and Clemson coaches visit commit, South Carolina’s No.1 2025 prospect

Dabo Swinney and multiple coaches visit South Carolina’s top 2025 recruit, Amare Adams.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff landed a big commitment when defensive lineman Amare Adams decided he wanted to be a Tiger.

The Palmetto state’s No.1 recruit, Adams, looks to join the ranks of Clemson’s elite defensive line. On Monday, Swinney, along with coaches Nick Eason and Chris Rumph, took a trip to Columbia to watch Adams in the MLK Bash basketball event at Eau Claire High School.

According to 247Sports composite rankings, Adams currently ranks as the No.1 player in the state, the No.12 defensive lineman, and the No.117 overall player. Adams held 15 offers from rivals South Carolina and top schools such as Alabama.

The Tigers coaching staff ensures that their guy gets the attention a top recruit deserves.

Clemson coach promoted to associate head coach

Clemson is promoting one of their staff members.

The Clemson football program has promoted a member of their staff.

Defensive tackles coach Nick Eason is moving up the ladder as he has been promoted to associate head coach. Eason rejoined his alma mater on Jan. 7, 2022, upon being hired as Clemson’s defensive run game coordinator and defensive tackles coach, earning a quick promotion after excelling.

A seasoned individual with a collective experience of 17 NFL seasons as both a player and coach has teamed up with Defensive Ends Coach Lemanski Hall. Together, they bring 26 combined seasons of invaluable NFL experience to mentor Clemson’s talented defensive line group.

Clemson not only holds onto Dabo Swinney after the Alabama job opened up but also promotes one of the program’s most important pieces.

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is the highest paid assistant coach in college football

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is the highest-paid assistant in the country.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program made a huge splash this offseason, bringing in 2022 Broyles Award winner Garrett Riley as Clemson’s new offensive coordinator, and it did not come cheap. 

USA TODAY Sports recently revealed college football’s assistant coach salary database, with Riley sitting No.1, making $2.05 million this year. He is just one of two coaches making $2 million more, with Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb making $2 million this season as the No.2 highest-paid assistant. 

Riley is far and away the top-paid Clemson assistant, with defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin making $850,000, Nick Eason $800,000, Mike Reed $800,000, Mickey Conn $800,000, Lemanski Hall $625,000, Kyle Richardson $500,000, Thomas Austin $450,000, C.J. Spiller $450,000 and Tyler Grisham $450,000. I’m sure this comes as a surprise to no one: Clemson coaches get paid well.

It may be time to move on from writing and get into coaching!

Watch: “It’s all about being bald, baby,” Eason and Clemson’s bald staff take a group picture

Nick Eason is hysterical as he leads the bald Clemson football staff in a group picture.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, the Clemson football program has high expectations as they look to make a return to the college football playoff and compete for a national championship. 

As the season gets closer, programs like to get pictures together for various different reasons. These typically include individual shots of players, coaches, and group photos. 

Clemson did this recently, having all of the coaching staff together for some group photos. Led by assistant coach Nick Eason, the shockingly large staff of bald staff members got together for a group photo.

“It’s all about being bald, baby,” Eason said as the group got together. Check out the funny video below. “We’re all in, bald.”

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Bryan Bresee’s position coach at Clemson shares his insight on new Saints DT

Bryan Bresee’s position coach at Clemson shared his insight on the new Saints defensive tackle: ‘He’s very smart and he loves the game. He exemplified all of that’

There’s a lot of people celebrating Bryan Bresee’s arrival to the New Orleans Saints, and one of them is Clemson defensive run-game coordinator and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason. Bresee’s former position coach shared his thoughts on the newest member of the New Orleans Saints in a conversation with local media in South Carolina on Thursday night.

“What they’re getting in Bryan is a great young man who comes from a great family, who is very competitive, very tough, very disciplined,” Eason said. “He’s very smart and he loves the game. He exemplified all of that throughout my time at Clemson and before and that’s why he’s going to be one of the NFL’s greats for years to come.”

Bresee was also praised by his head coach Dabo Swinney for his practice habits, work ethic, and passion for the game — welcome news for Saints fans after some of their recent draft picks weren’t able to cut the mustard. Getting a highly motivated 21-year-old into the building should do a lot to revamp a position group that’s fallen off in recent years.

Hopefully Bresee’s availability issues are behind him, having missed time with knee and shoulder injuries as well as a serious kidney infection. When he’s on, he’s special. Eason added, “They have not seen the best of Bryan Bresee yet.”

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Tigers ‘stand very high’ for four-star DL prospect after Clemson visit

A 2025 defensive lineman hailing from the Palmetto State made the trip up to Clemson for the Tiger’s 40-10 win over Miami last Saturday in Memorial Stadium. The Clemson Insider caught up with the four-star following the visit to get the latest on …

A 2025 defensive lineman hailing from the Palmetto State made the trip up to Clemson for the Tiger’s 40-10 win over Miami last Saturday in Memorial Stadium. The Clemson Insider caught up with the four-star following the visit to get the latest on his recruitment.

Lake City (S.C.) High School’s Amare Adams visited Clemson following visits to Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State earlier this fall and had nothing but praise for head coach Dabo Swinney and his program.

“It was really nice,” Adams told TCI. “The family vibe and the love they have for their players. They spoke a lot about my future after football. Gave me something to think about.”

The 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive lineman already sports offers from South Carolina, Florida State and Georgia and while Clemson stands very high at the moment for Adams, only time will tell which program rises to the top.

“All of them have things I like,” the four-star said. “I have a great relationship with the coaches at every school I visit. I guess in time I will start to see what’s best.”

During his time in Tiger Town, Adams experienced all that Clemson has to offer alongside his dad and a family friend, who is a long-time fan of the Tigers.

“My Dad was impressed with how much they spoke on academics,” Adams said. “He said they really care about your future and being a man. Also, he loves that their players aren’t ashamed to put God first.”

Adams was able to speak with multiple members of the Clemson coaching staff while in Death Valley including head coach Dabo Swinney, defensive tackles coach Nick Eason, defensive player development coach Kavell Conner and a few others.

“[They told] me how much they like me,” he said. “And to keep working in the classroom and on the field. How much Coach Swinney loves his players. How much of a family it really is. How coaches on staff are a lot of Clemson guys.”

As for where the Tigers stand after Adam’s visit, the South Carolina native says Clemson stands very high among his options, adding that an offer from Swinney and his staff would be “awesome”.

“They stand very high! I mean it would be awesome,” Adams said. “I am blessed to even be viewed at by them as a guy they could have there in a few years.”

Happy Halloween from Clemson Football

Best is certainly the standard for the Clemson football video team. Once again they have come through on Halloween. Check out this year’s edition of Halloween video’s from Clemson football. I think we’re all ready for November. Happy Halloween from …

Best is certainly the standard for the Clemson football video team.  Once again they have come through on Halloween.

Check out this year’s edition of Halloween video’s from Clemson football.

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 …

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 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.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!