Tag: sheridan jones

Former Clemson defensive back Sheridan Jones invited to Bills rookie minicamp, per report

Former Clemson cornerback Sheridan Jones heading to the Buffalo Bills minicamp.

Former Clemson defensive back Sheridan Jones will get an opportunity to showcase his talent to the Buffalo Bills. 

According to reports from NFL analyst Aaron Wilson, Jones has been invited to attend the Bills rookie minicamp. There have been no reports of an undrafted free agent deal for the young defensive back, but an opportunity at a minicamp for a team like the Bills is huge. With the near complete overhaul of their secondary due to cap issues, Jones could impress and find a role for a team that needs defensive backs. 

During his career with the Tigers, Jones was credited with 108 career tackles (5.0 for loss), 10 pass breakups, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 1,694 defensive snaps over 56 games (28 starts) from 2019-23. His NFL dreams start with the Bills.

Clemson wide receiver out for Georgia Tech game

Clemson’s wide receiver room will be even more thin for Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech.

A Clemson wide receiver will not suit up for the Tigers’ game against Georgia Tech on Saturday.

After dealing with multiple injuries to the wide receiver room this season, Clemson will have to make do without Brannon Spector, who is expected to be unavailable for Saturday, Clemson Athletics has announced.

Playing in all nine of Clemson’s games this year, Spector has four receptions for 25 yards.

Along with Spector, Clemson will be without Antonio Williams, who suffered a toe injury in late October and has not played since then. Heading into Saturday, Spector was listed as the backup slot receiver to true freshman Tyler Brown.

Cornerback Sheridan Jones and safety R.J. Mickens are also expected to be unavailable, as head coach Dabo Swinney announced earlier this week.

The good news for the Tigers is that running back Will Shipley is expected to play after missing last week with a concussion.

Kickoff between Clemson and Georgia Tech is at noon.

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Clemson statistical leaders through eight games

Who scares you most on the Tigers?

This hasn’t been the season Clemson or any outsiders envisioned. While not everyone was anticipating another national championship, it’s doubtful anyone expected that by this point, the Tigers wouldn’t even been receiving votes in polls. A bowl isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but if November is a very bad month for the Tigers, it’s probable they’ll be watching bowl season at home. Talk about dropping off.

All of that said, there still is some talent on this Tigers team, especially on defense. If anything, these players are remnants of a time in the recent past when the Tigers were feared. Many might have picked Notre Dame to lose Saturday’s game at the start of the season, but that no longer is a certainty. This is why you play the games though: You never know what can happen.

Here are the Tigers most likely to have an impact when they face the Irish:

Clemson in search of ‘killer instinct’

Dabo Swinney doesn’t know if his team will find itself in a similar situation in the latter stages of its unbeaten tussle this weekend. But if No. 5 Clemson is, the Tigers’ coach doesn’t want to see the change in demeanor that he saw a week ago. “We …

Dabo Swinney doesn’t know if his team will find itself in a similar situation in the latter stages of its unbeaten tussle this weekend. But if No. 5 Clemson is, the Tigers’ coach doesn’t want to see the change in demeanor that he saw a week ago.

“We just didn’t finish the game well defensively in the fourth quarter at all. Probably the biggest disappointment,” Swinney said of Clemson’s 34-28 win over Florida State. “We’ve got a 20-point lead with 10 minutes (left), and the next thing you know, you’ve got an onside kick.”

Brannon Spector recovered that kick in the final 2 minutes, 17 seconds to help the Tigers pull out a win that looked a lot closer on the scoreboard than it had been for much of the game. Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC) answered a couple of early touchdowns by the Seminoles and scored 27 unanswered points at one point to a commanding 34-14 lead midway through the third quarter.

It looked as if Clemson might cruise when FSU went another 11 minutes and change of game time without scoring. Then everything changed. The Seminoles got the ball with 11:45 left and marched 60 yards in just seven plays to get within two scores. Then, with FSU backed up at its own 6-yard line with less than 4 minutes left, the Seminoles needed just 1:35 to cover those 94 yards for another touchdown that got them within six.

Clemson yielded eight first downs and 169 yards alone in the final 15 minutes while the offense didn’t do much during that time other than picking up a first down on its final possession. That allowed the Tigers to milk the rest of the clock on a snoozer that quickly turned into a white knuckler.

“Lost our focus,” Swinney said. “Thought we got undisciplined. Also some penalties as well. Just got to put people away when you’ve got the opportunity. You can’t give up the amount of yards that we gave up in the fourth quarter against good people.”

It was a particularly bad finish for a defense that’s had its share of ups and downs in coordinator Wesley Goodwin’s first year calling the shots. The offense hasn’t been perfect either, but the group has been much improved following last season’s struggle. The Tigers had trouble holding onto their sizable lead last week because, for the first time this season, they were gashed on the ground. 

Clemson entered the game with the nation’s No. 2-ranked run defense but gave up 206 rushing yards to the Seminoles, who ripped off 6.1 yards per pop. Early in the season, it was the 95th-ranked pass defense that plagued the Tigers, who allowed six passing touchdowns in a double-overtime win at Wake Forest, four of them coming after the Tigers took a 20-14 lead just before halftime.

The inconsistency on that side of the ball was enough for players to take action among themselves following the near disaster at FSU. The defense called a players-only meeting early in the week to address it.

“Our veterans, they step up and speak,” said senior cornerback Sheridan Jones, who returned to the lineup last week after missing three games with an injury. “We tell guys that we won the game. The scoreboard is kept and we won, but we know that we need to finish stronger and finish the game stronger. Just letting guys know that and just trying to bring that energy up.

“We knew in our hearts that we should’ve done better, but we can’t just walk around the mope the whole time. Just got to make sure we get everybody on the same page.”

First-year assistant Nick Eason has been around a lot of teams during his lengthy career in the sport. A former Clemson standout, Eason played a decade in the NFL and then coached in the league before making his way back to the college game in recent years. 

Eason, who coaches the defensive tackles and coordinates the run defense, said he sees a team at Clemson that’s still learning how to finish the job. Even with some of the veterans the Tigers have on their roster, including a third-year quarterback and a defensive front seven full of next-level talent, Eason said that’s not necessarily surprising given their youth.

“I really, truly believe that no matter what level you’re on, you’re always going to be constantly be developing your players,” Eason said. “You never arrive as a player, and I think that gives me the benefit, as a former NFL player and a former NFL coach that’s been around a lot of coaches and a lot of great players, you’re always going to be constantly trying to develop and work on your craft.”

But Eason said it’s also on him and the rest of the coaching staff to help drive home just how important it is to stay in attack mode.

“That killer instinct, I’m not Wizard of Oz and I’m not Jesus,” he said. “I think sometimes that comes with the demeanor of who you are as a person. That’s your DNA. And I understand everybody’s not leaders, but that’s my job as a coach is to get that out of our players, to show them what that killer instinct looks like and give them examples. Lead them and show them how to find that eye of the tiger and that killer instinct. When our offense is doing really good, to be able to go in, shut teams out and capitalize on situations where, when they’re backed up, we can’t allow teams to drive the field.

“It just starts with us as coaches. Coach Swinney has challenged us as a defensive staff, and that’s what I love about him. He challenges us to be better in everything we’re doing, and I think it makes us better coaches and better leaders.”

Clemson’s next opportunity will come against one of those “good people” Swinney referenced when No. 14 Syracuse (6-0. 3-0) visits Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

“Unfortunately sometimes you learn from the bad more than you do the good, so hopefully this will be a great learning lesson for those guys if they take to coaching,” Swinney 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!

With Jones back, Swinney asked about this freshman corner’s role moving forward

Clemson freshman cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. has been pressed into duty this season while filling in for senior corner Sheridan Jones, who suffered a stinger in the Louisiana Tech game on Sept. 17 and missed the next three games before returning …

Clemson freshman cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. has been pressed into duty this season while filling in for senior corner Sheridan Jones, who suffered a stinger in the Louisiana Tech game on Sept. 17 and missed the next three games before returning this past Saturday at Florida State and playing 79 snaps against the Seminoles.

In the three games Jones was unavailable, Pride saw 51 snaps of action at Wake Forest, 61 snaps vs. NC State and 42 in his first career start at Boston College before getting only two snaps at FSU last week upon Jones’ return to the lineup.

During his post-practice media availability via Zoom on Wednesday evening, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was asked what he thinks Pride’s role will be moving forward with Jones back.

“He’ll continue to get opportunity to play and just keep getting better,” Swinney said. “It’s just nice to have a guy that’s got a lot of experience. Toriano is a great young talent, but he doesn’t have the same type of experience as a guy like Sheridan. But you’ll continue to see him play, and stay ready.”

After making his collegiate debut in the season opener against Georgia Tech, Pride recorded two tackles vs. Furman, added a tackle and three pass breakups vs. Louisiana Tech and then made three tackles at Wake Forest. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder posted six tackles and his first career interception vs. NC State and contributed three tackles at Boston College.

A Missouri native who finished his prep career in Illinois and became one of the nation’s top corners, Pride enrolled at Clemson in January. He was a national top-40 prospect according to 247Sports, which rated him No. 39 overall, sixth-best among cornerbacks and second-best in Missouri.

Tigers talk about the challenges Syracuse’s offense presents

Clemson’s defense is up for a big test this Saturday versus an undefeated Syracuse team. Led by junior quarterback Garrett Shrader, the Orange are riding high on confidence after a dominant victory over NC State. Members of Clemson’s defense spoke …

Clemson’s defense is up for a big test this Saturday versus an undefeated Syracuse team. Led by junior quarterback Garrett Shrader, the Orange are riding high on confidence after a dominant victory over NC State.

Members of Clemson’s defense spoke Monday about what particular challenges Shrader and star running back Sean Tucker present to the Tigers’ defense, which is looking to level up this week after having a tough time stopping the run game of Florida State.

Cornerback Sheridan Jones shared what he believes are the assets of Syracuse’s offense.

“They have a great backfield,” Jones said. “Their quarterback is tough. Their running backs are tough. They have receivers that can make plays. It’s going to be a hard-fought game.”

Time and time again, the players talked about the effectiveness of Syracuse’s run game. The running back unit is led by the sophomore Tucker, who has 644 rushing yards, six touchdowns and an average of 5.2 yards per carry this season.

Defensive tackles coach/defensive run game coordinator Nick Eason knows Tucker is a dominant force in the Syracuse offense.

“He’s the best back we see this year,” Eason said. “He does a lot of great things. He’s got great vision. He can break tackles. He can run, running outside, running inside, and he can catch it out the backfield. So, it will be a huge challenge for us this week.”

Tucker, who scored a late 25-yard rushing touchdown in the win over NC State, has the ability to utilize his speed and his vision to evade defenders and move the ball downfield for the Orange.

However, Tucker is not the only star of Syracuse’s offense. Shrader has proven to be dynamic for the Orange as well.

With 1,434 yards passing and 12 touchdowns against only three interceptions this season, Shrader is coming into Death Valley with a high level of confidence. It’s not just his passing game that makes him a successful quarterback, but also his ability to run with a high level of physicality. He has 300 rushing yards and five scores on the ground this season as well.

Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips shared what he believes makes Shrader’s run game a threat to the Tigers’ defense.

“He’s a great quarterback and he likes to use his speed, so we need to match him route to route throughout the play,” Phillips said. “We really have to contain him. He’s a really good quarterback, so it’s going to be a good challenge this week.”

“He’s very physical, so we know we are going to have to tackle him,” Phillips added, “because we know he’s not going to slide.”

With the talent of both Shrader and Tucker on offense, the Clemson defense will be up for a true test when it comes to how effective it can be in stopping the run game and pressuring the quarterback.

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!

Goodwin becoming a ‘quiet storm’ in new role

In his own words, Clemson defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin says he is becoming more “demanding” of his players. The first year as defensive coordinator has proven to be a learning experience for Goodwin, but in recent weeks, players and coaches …

In his own words, Clemson defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin says he is becoming more “demanding” of his players.

The first year as defensive coordinator has proven to be a learning experience for Goodwin, but in recent weeks, players and coaches have emphasized that Goodwin is finding his voice and becoming somewhat of a “quiet storm.”

Defensive tackles coach/defensive run game coordinator Nick Eason described how he believes Goodwin has grown as a leader in his new role during the season.

“What’s Wes like, he’s a quiet storm, he’s a little storm,” Eason said. “He’s not as quiet, but he is constantly making adjustments on the sideline. He challenges our guys every day in meetings.”

Graduate senior cornerback Sheridan Jones reiterated much of what Eason had to say, adding he likes this new side of Goodwin.

“He’s a little meaner, but he has to be, being a defensive coordinator now,” Jones said. “Didn’t really yell in the past couple years, but he’s yelling now.”

Goodwin stressed last week it is about being demanding rather than demeaning of his players. He is focusing more on his delivery being more intentional and heated when need be, but always focusing on asking the players to do more in terms of performance.

Senior safety Jalyn Phillips shared that while most see Goodwin as a “quiet guy,” he actually can be more intense than what we see on the surface.

“Wes, people think he’s such a quiet guy, but Wes is a mastermind,” Phillips said. “He’s going to get after you if he needs to. He’s quiet sometimes, but he will get after you when he needs to. He’s a great coach. I trust in him in everything he does.”

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!

Clemson corner discusses ‘tough couple of weeks’

Clemson cornerback Sheridan Jones, who suffered a stinger versus Louisiana Tech, made the trip to Tallahassee for his first game back against Florida State last Saturday night. Jones’ status was day to day in the week leading up to the game. After …

Clemson cornerback Sheridan Jones, who suffered a stinger versus Louisiana Tech, made the trip to Tallahassee for his first game back against Florida State last Saturday night. Jones’ status was day to day in the week leading up to the game.

After the game at Boston College, Jones came to the training staff on Monday and told them he was ready to go. The pain from the injury had subsided and he felt mentally ready to face a week of full practice. Jones officially returned to practice with full pads last Tuesday.

“Just talking with our training staff, they were checking on me day by day,” he said. “I feel like we ready to go. As long as you [training staff] feel good, I feel good, we can tell my body feels better, everything feels better, we’re cleared and ready to go.”

The graduate senior shared his mentality going into his first game cleared of injury after coming off some “tough” weeks being sidelined.

“It’s been tough the past couple weeks not being able to play,” he said, “but I just kept the faith. I knew God was going to put me in the right position to be able to play when the time was right, so I just stayed strong.”

Jones listened to his body and the counsel of Clemson’s training staff prior to his return to the field, which prompted him to have little hesitation returning for the game versus the Seminoles.

“Sometimes you do have hesitation, but I told myself if you’re going to be out there, there should be no hesitation,” he said. “I got cleared to go and if I feel like I’m mentally and physically good enough, there should be no hesitation. You have to put trust that you’re out there for a reason and you’ve been cleared for a reason.”

Jones detailed what it felt like on the field Saturday and when the switch flipped where he knew he felt back to full form.

“I think the first couple plays I headbutted someone, like twice,” he said. “And I was like, alright I’m good.”

Although it would be surprising to endure a season without losing players here and there to injury, Clemson has had a tough go with defensive injuries this season. These injuries have left the Tigers’ secondary relying on young players like Toriano Pride Jr. and Nate Wiggins to take the reins in the past couple weeks.

With Jones back in full form and feeling back at a good place mentally on the field, it will be important for the Clemson defense to keep a confident Syracuse team on its toes this week.

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!

Injured defensive back makes trip to Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the first time in weeks, Clemson will have one of its veteran defensive backs available for tonight’s game. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney left Sheridan Jones’ status as day to day earlier in the week, but the Tigers’ senior …

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For the first time in weeks, Clemson will have one of its veteran defensive backs available for tonight’s game.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney left Sheridan Jones’ status as day to day earlier in the week, but the Tigers’ senior cornerback made the trip to Florida State and is expected to play for the first time since sustaining a stinger against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 17.

That’s in addition to safeties Tyler Venables and R.J. Mickens also making the trip, something Swinney said earlier in the week he expected to be the case. Venables and Mickens also missed last week’s game against Boston College with injuries. Mickens had started the previous three games.

It’s the latest bit of good news this week for Clemson’s defense, which is also getting Bryan Bresee back tonight. With Xavier Thomas also back in the fold, tonight’s game will be the first time Clemson will have every starting defensive linemen available for the same game this season.

Today’s game from Doak Campbell Stadium is set for a 7:30 p.m. kick. The game will be televised by ABC.

Five Clemson players to keep an eye on against Florida State

Here are five Tigers that fans should watch carefully during Clemson’s game with Florida State on Saturday.

No. 4 Clemson takes on Florida State on Saturday, and multiple Tigers will be under the spotlight when the two teams kick off at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Heading into Week 7, Clemson (6-0) leads the pack in the Atlantic Divison, with Florida State (4-2) not too far behind.

The Tigers have won the past six matchups, but winning this road game in Tallahassee, Fla., will be no easy task.

Last year, Clemson defeated the Seminoles by 10 points — a score that was not reflective of how poor head coach Dabo Swinney thought his team played.

“I wanted to vomit watching the Florida State game last year,” Swinney said on Tuesday. “It was so painful to watch it. We were so bad. We won, which was a miracle, but we were so bad.”

Swinney and the Tigers will look to rectify that performance on Saturday, and here are some Clemson players to keep a closer eye on during the game.