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Dabo Swinney comments on Clemson's freshman class prior to fall camp

Clemson is loaded with talented freshmen. Head coach Dabo Swinney shared where they're at in terms of development.

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney sat down for a press conference prior to Clemson's first practice of fall camp on Friday. Among the biggest storylines for the Tigers this fall will be the arrival of another elite recruiting class, specifically across the defensive front.

The Tigers brought in the 11th overall class this past cycle, including 3 of the top 10 defensive linemen: Peter Woods, Vic Burley, and TJ Parker. Swinney was asked about where things stand with his freshman class' development.

Freshman defensive lineman Peter Woods. (Clemson Athletics)

Freshman defensive lineman Peter Woods. (Clemson Athletics)

"[We brought in] 16 guys mid-year, so I certainly want to see where they are," said Swinney. "You know, as we go through transformation, you know, they all got exposed in spring to the way we do things; practice, installation, and all those things, now they get a chance to jump back in the summer at a different pace from a strength conditioning standpoint, a different pace of installation, where they actually now can see themselves from the spring and now you get a chance to bring it. So, these guys when they look great - you know a lot of guys that have really made a lot of progress - I want to see where that group is, you know, from a really more mental standpoint than anything."

This will also be the coaching staff's first chance to put their eyes on the recruits that arrived this summer in an on-field situation.

"It's easy to kind of see physically what they're doing but I really want to see the results of the mental work that they put in since January. And then obviously I want to see these [fall enrollees] just because this is my first time on the field with them in a competitive situation. So, I'm excited to see these 12-14 guys or so that came in here this summer."

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