Clemson football has made a (new) name for itself so far in 2024.
After down seasons, at least by Clemson’s expectations, the Tigers have roared through the first half of their schedule with only the blemish to Georgia to lament. Clemson has reeled off six consecutive wins, all in dominant fashion, and as their second and final bye week commenced, several players met with the media on Monday to talk about the state of the team as it moves past the halfway mark of the season.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik has not only blossomed in his junior season but has catapulted himself into the Heisman discussion as well. Tight end Jake Briningstool spoke about his on-field relationship with Cade and the chemistry the two of them share.
“I think every ball that’s in the air is my ball,” said Briningstool. “I take that approach to everything. When (Cade) first got here, his first year, we had a lot of reps together with the twos, and sometimes he got in there with the ones. I just think we’ve got a good relationship, a lot of chemistry together. We’ve just been constantly working together, constantly getting a feel for each other, so I’m just trying to be there for him as much as I can.”
Linebacker Barrett Carter, who forewent the NFL draft to return to Clemson for a chance to compete for a championship, is happy that the Tigers are in the hunt for an ACC title and are legitimately in the mix to make the college football playoffs for the first time since 2020. The quarterback of the Clemson football defense is a leader on and off the field but knows there is still work to be done.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “Of course, we still have a long way to go. Coach Swinney always says, ‘they remember November’ and we’re going into our championship phase, so we still have to get better every single day. It’s super exciting knowing we have all of our goals in front of us and we still have a chance to fight for a spot to win this league and whatever comes after that we’ll see. But it’s definitely exciting to say the least. We just have to keep getting better every single day.”
Center Ryan Linthicum has been a major factor in the success of the Tigers’ rejuvenated offensive line, helping protect Klubnik and plowing the road for bruising running back Phil Mafah. While having another chance to rest and heal is nice, Linthicum emphasized that the Clemson football team is taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their game and are working hard.
“We take bye weeks as a week to get better, to improve our game, and we’ve got to get better every week,” Ryan said. “This isn’t an off week. This is a week to improve our team. We’re practicing hard every day. It’s a week to get better.”
Ryan Linthicum
Asked whether he could hear Mafah running over opposing defenders, Linthicum said, “I don’t think so. I’m just blocking. But then I hear the crowd, and I know Phil just ran him over. I look at the jumbotron and I see Phil truck a dude, so yea, it’s good. I don’t really hear it but it’s cool.”
In the Tigers’ secondary, sophomore Avieon Terrell has developed into one of the most feared corners in the ACC. Younger brother of former Clemson football defensive back A.J. Terrell, a member of the Tigers’ 2018 national championship team, the younger Terrell relishes going up against the best receivers in the conference.
“It means a lot to me, going against some of the best receivers in the ACC,” stated Terrell. “Just matching up with them, making plays, it gives me a lot of confidence.”
Avieon Terrell
As for the mentality of the team, Terrell added that has changed as well from a year ago as the Tigers are eyeing the chance to bring another ACC championship and national title back to Clemson.
“Just finish,” he added. “We didn’t finish last year so finishing is a big thing for us.”
While a bye week for fans can be boring, if not tedious, while waiting for the next game, senior defensive lineman Tre Williams says there are keys to the team making their week off from game action a success. Make no mistake, the Clemson Tigers are already preparing for Louisville who visits Death Valley on November 2nd.
“Treating (the bye week) like you have a game on Saturday,” said Williams. “Coach Swinney told you guys after the game on Saturday that we play open at 12 o’clock in The Valley so that’s what we’re doing. Treating it the same way we do any other week.”
No doubt that Clemson football should win this week. But the Tigers will be back on the field taking on the Cardinals in no time.
