Now that training camp has started in Clemson, we’ll hear a lot more from the players on the team in one-on-one interviews. Today, interior defensive linemen Tré Williams, Payton Page, DeMonte Capehart, and Peter Woods (DT/EDGE) all spoke; here are the key takeaways from each of their interviews.
Defense is coming into this year hungry
A common word used this past offseason and within interviews by players has been that they’re hungry, and the defensive linemen relayed the same sentiment in their interviews.
“Last year we finished top eight in total defense and that’s not where we want to be. We want to be the number one defense in the country. We feel like we have all the pieces for that, regardless of who left, who’s here, who’s not. I feel like this team we have right here, right now wants to be the number one defense in the country and everyday at practice we’re going out there to prove that.”
Tré Williams
“This year we got a whole different goal in mind and the way we’re practicing right now, you can tell everybody wants this money so we gonna get this money.”
Payton Page
“I’m always willing to get better. I show up everyday, I’m not satisfied. I show up with a hungry mindset everday so I mean I want to be better. I’m more hungry now, I see it and I wanna eat it.”
DeMonte Capehart
“We talk about in our team meetings, just making sure that when you’re doing something that you do it for a ‘why’. I think my thing is is that my ‘why’ is so much bigger than myself… I’m doing this for my family, I’m doing this for my brothers, I’m doing this for the people in my city.
Peter Woods
The entire team is a Brotherhood
As the season approaches, this looks to be the most tight-knitted team Clemson Football has seen in a while as not just the defensive line or defense is bonding, but the entire team has been. If the team bond can successfully transition to the field then Clemson fans should be excited.
“This is the closest I think this team has ever been. Even though we might get in a little scuffle here and there, that brings us even tighter. So I don’t know about me myself, but I know the d-line brings up the team a lot and the energy together. Shoutout to T-Leigh (OL Tristan Leigh). T-Leigh gets us real hype too.”
Payton Page
“We [The Defensive Line] brothers man. We got each others back, one go down, the next man up. We got a next man up mentality, we ready to work. That’s like if I got a little brother, nobody can mess with my little brother but me. I feel like that’s how it is in our room.”
DeMonte Capehart
“I would just credit it [the brotherhood] to the culture of the school that we’re at. It’s something our coaches kind of foster and this group took it and ran with it. It’s become a big thing for us, that excites me a lot. We get turnt up about what looks like nothing all the time just because of how much we love each other.”
Peter Woods
Coaching Staff is Strong
While Clemson’s defense has been extremely elite in College Football for the past decade or so now, it isn’t just because of the players, it’s the energy and mentorship the coaches bring everyday as well. This hasn’t seemed to slow down whatsoever this year with the defensive linemen giving high praise to their coaches.
“I feel like Coach Eason has been a blessing for all of us. He’s teaching us how to be elite defensive tackles, but more importantly he’s teaching us to be better men off the field. I’m forever greatful for Coach Eason and everything he’s done for us and I can’t wait to continue getting coached by him.”
Tré Williams
“He [Coach Eason] got the intensity everyday. That ain’t nothing new. I feel like they [Coach Eason and Rumph] was bringing the volume last year, we were missing the player volume though. We should be the ones getting people hyped, they shouldn’t be getting us hyped at all. This year, it’s a lot more player led than coach led.”
Payton Page
“We got a great defensive staff, credit to them, I believe they’re the best in the country. Coach Wes is a genius, whatever he calls I got 100% belief in it and whatever comes out of it, that’s what you gonna get.”
DeMonte Capehart
Offensive Line is looking solid
In recent years, the offensive line has received a lot of flack for not playing at the level fans want them to play at, but it seems like first-year Clemson OL coach Matt Luke has improved them a lot individually and as a group, with the defensive line speaking nothing but in good faith about the position group.
“They’re amazing. I feel like people disrespect our offensive line a lot. They’re going to show a lot of people this year who they really are.”
Tré Williams
“They got a new DNA. They’re pumpin, they’re on course. They look real good. They want it more, they’re playing together. They’re a group, they care for each other. That’s the difference I think. It’s a different energy with Coach Luke… he’s like the gas leak to their fire.”
DeMonte Capehart
