Nick Eason Provides Updates on Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro

Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro bring a veteran presence to Clemson's defense. Nick Eason provided an update on the two starters.

Clemson is a team familiar with losing talent on the defensive line to the next level. The NFL is littered with former Tigers across defense's front sevens, but following last season, it appeared they were in for a historic amount of attrition. Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, KJ Henry, and Trenton Simpson are all off to the NFL, and while that hurts, the sting was mitigated by the return of Ruke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis.

“For them to come back, it was a huge deal for our defensive line,” said Nick Eason, Clemson’s defensive tackles coach and run defense coordinator. “They came back because they want to win a championship.”

Players like Tyler Davis don’t typically return to school for an extra year. Through four seasons with Clemson, Davis has earned First Team All-ACC honors twice, as well as Second Team honors as a true freshman. So what else can a guy that’s already played four years of high-level football work on this spring?

“Just eyes, hands, and footwork,” said Eason. “The ability to be able to win the one-on-ones in his pass rush. The one unique thing about him, there’s no surprise why he’s an All-American because he outworks everybody. That’s how he’s gotten the name he’s gotten, and the respect that he’s gotten, the reputation that he has because he outworks everybody every single day…The biggest thing he’s got to work on is technique and the fundamentals of the game, and just understanding the game and what to expect and when to expect it. Situational football. We’ve talked about those things, just like I’ve talked about it with all our defensive linemen, ways to get better, as we’ve evaluated each guy up front. With him, just got to get better at using hands, eyes, and feet… I thought he had one of his best seasons last year.”

As he returns for his fifth season in 2023, All-American Tyler Davis is already tied with good company for the most career All-ACC selections by a Clemson DT (three each):

William Perry (1982-84)
Dexter Lawrence (2016-18)
Christian Wilkins (2016-18)
Tyler Davis (2019, 2021-22) pic.twitter.com/IKRUDHDpLI

— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) January 25, 2023

As for Ruke Orhorhoro, another member of the Class of 2019, this spring will be more about mental exertion than physical, as Orhorhoro rehabs from off-season shoulder surgery.

“Ruke’s always been a guy that’s done a good job of coming in and spending a lot of extra time watching tape. That’s what he does, that’s something he was doing when I got here… I think he’s been very locked in from a mental standpoint, even though he’s not been able to practice much.” said Eason.

Clemson continues their spring practice on Monday. They will take Tuesday off as Clemson hosts its Pro Day on the 14th. The team will then resume on Wednesday, before breaking for spring break. Spring practice will then pick back up on the 27th.