As Clemson kicked off its first practice of 2024 fall camp, head coach Dabo Swinney could not help but notice standouts on both sides of the ball.
Following practice during media availability, Swinney discussed what he saw out of his wide receivers and defensive ends. One is a position where Clemson has struggled in recent seasons, while the Tigers have excelled at the other.
Practice reps for the wide receivers, where Clemson has endured the most attrition since 2020, caught Swinney’s eye and he is excited about that group, particularly freshmen T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco. Those newcomers, along with returning players who are finally healthy, had Dabo all smiles.
“We’ve got a really good group of veterans,” said Swinney. “Especially receivers. We’ve got 10 dudes. We’ve got 10 guys and six coming out of spring that, really, day one can compete to start and five of them have started. When’s the last time we’ve had that?”
The biggest knock against the Tigers’ offense the past three seasons has been the lack of explosiveness at wideout which has, at times, stymied the Clemson offense from within. The Tigers have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Amari Rodgers’ final season in 2020. That is three consecutive seasons without a receiver reach that plateau, an eternity for a program that wants its offense to be run and gun for four quarters and that is used to lighting up the scoreboard.
Swinney believes that can change this season.
“Tyler (Brown), Antonio (Williams), Cole (Turner), Adam (Randall), and (Troy) Stellato; five guys who have started,” explained Swinney. “Wesco came out in the spring right there with that group. That’s a really good group. We’ve got T.J. (Moore) coming in here. We’ve got a lot of competition.”
Dabo Swinney
On the other side of the ball, on defense, Clemson has still excelled. Within its stacked defensive unit, the Tigers’ defensive ends are a frightening group that are ready to unleash havoc on opposing offenses. Another thing that has Swinney pumped.
Players like T.J. Parker, who burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2023, and A.J. Hoffler are dynamic. Peter Woods, another former 5-star true freshman who was among the best in the country during his first season a year ago, can and will play on the edge as well. The internal competition among the ends is a driving force behind their success, adds Swinney.
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“Hoffler is a really good young talent,” he said. “Last year he got a little bit of experience. I think he’s got a chance to be a complete player. T.J. came in at a great spot. He’s in great shape. He’s got experience, he’s got some knowledge, and he and Peter really set the tone. I can’t wait to see (Darien) Mayo just get in a stance. That’s a big dude. I can’t wait to see him with his hand in the dirt. So, we’ve got some good, young talent and some guys who are all going to have the opportunity to compete.”
One more young defender Swinney raved about is redshirt freshman defensive end Jahiem Lawson from just down the road out of Daniel High School. Lawson, Swinney said, arrived on campus in 2023 weighing around 215 pounds. He is now up to 251 and physically ready to make his mark. As the younger brother of Clemson legend Shaq Lawson, he also has some big shoes to fill.
“He’s a natural pass rusher whose got a great motor,” said Swinney of Lawson. “He’s not quite as long as you’d like but he makes up for it. He’s got his body in a spot at 251 pounds that he can really compete.”
With the season-opener against Georgia just 30 days away, there is a lot of work to be done for Swinney and his team before they are ready to take the field in Atlanta on August 31st. But judging by the Tigers’ head coach’s demeanor following the first practice on Thursday, Clemson fans already have a lot to be excited about.
