After Monday’s practice, defensive backs Sheridan Jones, Andrew Mukuba, and running back Phil Mafah spoke to the media, mentioning many things but highlighting the importance of leadership and confidence during their interviews.
With Clemson’s fall camp well underway, the team is not seeing anyone slowing down in terms of work ethic, signifying that everybody wants it on this roster. For Mafah and the offense, that happens to be one of his favorite things about Garrett Riley’s new-look offense.
“To me, the most encouraging thing is seeing the guys work,” the junior running back said. “They don’t miss a beat. Even though we may make mistakes, we just get back to the line and try to make it right. It’s an all-in effort.”
Phil Mafah
On the other side of the ball, the spontaneous-like nature of a new offensive scheme gives a lot of uncertainty about what’s coming to the defense, which the defensive backs believe is a good thing at times.
“I see a lot of things that we haven’t seen in a while,” said Mukuba in regards to how the offense looks, “and that’s good for us as a defense because there might be times where we might be in that position.”
Especially with defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin having a year under his belt, Sheridan Jones has seen a lot more chemistry with the defense, hoping it gives the back seven a better season than last season.
“Everything comes with time, so this is the second year under Wes, so everything’s gelling, you know, smoother,” said the graduate senior. “Everybody has a lot more confidence in each other.”
Sheridan Jones
Despite the pass defense being, arguably, one of the setbacks for Clemson last season, both Jones and Mukuba see a lot of potential in the defensive back room.
“We really never want to give excuses as far as going into injuries and things like that,” said Jones. “The numbers are the numbers, and our pass defense was not that good last year. So I feel like going into this year, we worked a lot on speed, technique and everything like that.”
For Mukuba, the difference of a healthy roster, as well as adding in quality freshmen talent, could be the difference maker in terms of depth.
“This is definitely the most depth that we have had, I haven’t taken a snap at cornerback yet, said the junior standout. “The good thing is that everyone can play, so it doesn’t matter who [goes] out there, the depth is good.”
Andrew Mukuba
In terms of gelling together on the offensive side, Mafah believes that the running game is going to continue to dominate Riley’s air raid offense due to the emphasis on the receivers in the scheme.
“I love the offense. What helps us get the running game going is the passing game,” Mafah said. “The receivers being a threat on all corners of the field opens up the running game naturally, so it just flows.”
The last point noted by the interviewees was leadership, which has allowed the team to grow in terms of chemistry as well as motivation. For the offense, Mafah highlights quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has taken the driver’s seat of the offense and has grown as a leader.
“I feel like, just him [Cade] bringing energy, just everyone bringing energy, just gets everyone lined up quicker and faster,” Mafah detailed. “So I feel like that’s a part of everyone’s energy and trying to play a role and leadership.”
For a fifth-year player like Jones, he uses his experience to be the leader for the defensive backs, having great expectations for the group this season compared to last season.
“We don’t want to be known as the back seven who couldn’t get it done, so we are trying to flip the script,” Jones said. “2019 is the only class that hasn’t won a national championship, and we are trying to change that.”
These Tigers, all entering their upperclassmen years or in their final year as a member of the team, have something to prove for the upcoming season with a vital year up ahead for their team. With September 4th fast approaching, the wait is almost over to see the new-look team face off against the best of the best.
