Clemson practice observations: 5-star freshmen notes; corners banged up
Clemson returned to the practice field on Monday, and the media was allowed to watch about the first 30 minutes of the workout.
Here are notes from Clemson’s practice, including how freshman defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei seem to be adapting. We also take a look at the injuries the Tigers are dealing with.
Already impressive
Clemson freshman defensive tackles Bryan Bresee and DeMonte Capehart are ginormous. The two are both listed at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, and they look every bit of it. Bresee (pronounced Bri-ZEE), Capehart and fellow freshman defensive lineman Myles Murphy are the three tallest defensive linemen on the team at 6-foot-5. Murphy is listed at 265 pounds.
All three were rated as five-star recruits. Don’t be surprised if they all play this season and are eventually stars on Clemson’s defensive line. They’re big and they move well.
Thin at cornerback
Dabo Swinney wants to see the Tigers develop some depth at cornerback this spring, but right now Clemson is banged up at the position. Established starter Derion Kendrick was in a yellow jersey Monday. He was joined by sophomore Andrew Booth and junior Mario Goodrich, who are both vying for a starting job. With those three banged up, Clemson had only four cornerbacks taking part in drills Monday: freshman Fred Davis, junior LeAnthony Williams, sophomore Sheridan Jones and walk-on Jake Herbstreit. Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed would no doubt like to see his position group healthy soon.
Kendrick had a bandage wrapped around his left leg, while Booth seemed to be moving well. Booth is recovering from a minor knee procedure. Goodrich has been dealing with an ankle injury.
Other injuries
The most notable other player in a yellow non-contact jersey was starting defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney. The redshirt senior has been fighting his way back from an ankle injury suffered at the end of last season and appears to still have a ways to go. Pinckney was struggling to move around Monday.
Swinney said last week: “Just kind of day-to-day. It’s really just on him and how he progresses. I don’t think we’ve got a real timeline. I think it’s just how he responds. But he’s working hard to get back.”
Bresee, who was in yellow last Wednesday and green last Friday, was full-go on Monday.
Running back notes
The rotation during drills was Travis Etienne first, followed by Lyn-J Dixon, Darien Rencher, Chez Mellusi and Michel Dukes. All five of those players saw action in at least 10 games last season, with Etienne, Dixon and Rencher getting snaps in every game. Etienne was also getting reps returning punts alongside Amari Rodgers, Dixon, Justyn Ross and Dukes.
Coachable stars
Bresee and fellow freshman D.J. Uiagalelei are expected to be the face of Clemson’s program at some time over the next few seasons, and both seem to take coaching extremely well. Bresee was corrected by defensive tackles coach Todd Bates while going through a drill. He listened intently, nodded his head, and corrected his mistake on his next rep. Uiagalelei (pronounced ooh-ee-AHN-guh-luh-lay) looks the part and acts the part as he tries to follow in the footsteps of All-American QBs Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson. Quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter appeared pleased with the way Uiagalelei went through drills and took in coaching. The 6-foot-5, 245 pound QB was one of the last players on the practice field following Clemson’s first practice last Wednesday. The effort and coachability seem to match the physical presence and the hype.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 6:29 PM with the headline "Clemson practice observations: 5-star freshmen notes; corners banged up."
