Clemson Football: Toriano Pride was ready for his opportunity

The sophomore cornerback took advantage of a surprise start for Clemson against Wake Forest.

Just hours before the game on the bus ride over to the stadium, Sheridan Jones, starting cornerback for the Tigers, who was experiencing headache symptoms, was ruled out for the game. It certainly came as a surprise to sophomore Toriano Pride Jr. 

Pride became a big key in a defensive battle against Wake Forest in which the cornerback and his teammates only allowed 12 points en route to victory.

Toriano Pride Jr / Clemson Athletics

The former top 50 recruit in the country didn't seem very fazed by the recent developments when he spoke to reporters earlier this week, "(I found out) on the bus ride. I was already prepared really. I was just waiting for my moment, to be honest. I didn't hear that I was going to be starting until I was in the locker when coach Reid came up."

What exactly prepared him for that opportunity, "Just practicing really. Just practicing Monday through Thursday. Keeping my head down, grinding all week and just waiting for my time."

For any highly touted high school player the transition to coming off the bench and getting fewer reps is always difficult. Now that Pride has gotten an opportunity to show what he can do this season the St. Louis native was able to reflect on that process, "Yeah, at first it was hard (to keep grinding). It was a big mental thing that I had to deal with but it's nothing. I just work really. I know my time is going to come. Don't know when but whenever I do get it, do what I can in the moment."

So, how did it feel after setting a career-high in tackles and having three pass deflections? "It felt good. I wasn't really surprised by my performance because I know what I can do and I know what type of athlete I am. Just after that game, the main thing I was just really happy. I just got to be me, just play. Do what I do and do what I can do to help the team win."