Spring Practice Report: Swinney Gets Good Grasp Of Where Clemson Is

What the Clemson coach Dabo Swinney wants to see most right now from a team with plenty of youth is energy each practice and a squad that remains coachable.

CLEMSON — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said the Tigers have reached the point of spring practice where he’s got a good grasp on where the players are at physically and mentally.

Following Friday’s full practice, Swinney has noticed improvement.

“It’s been good. We grade everything. Everything matters,” Swinney said. “Spring ball is about getting better. It’s about learning, correcting and applying and just being coachable. We’ve got a lot of guys, we’re repping everybody. Everybody is getting a lot of work. It’s fast. There's a lot of moving things going on out here at practice.”

What the Clemson coach wants to see most right now from a team with plenty of youth is energy each practice and a squad that remains coachable.

“Everybody's got different things but just seeing improvement, coming out with the right attitude every day as we start to really give them a lot of feedback on where they are and what they’ve got to do,” Swinney said. “But it’s been really good. The energy is out here is good every day. This team, as I’ve said many times, is talented. Lots of guys have the ability to play their way into a guy who can help us. We’ve got a long way to go.”

What’s next

Clemson will hold a half practice, half scrimmage Saturday. They’ll meet Sunday to correct mistakes they’ve made through the first half of spring ball and then they’ll get back at it Monday.

The next few practices are designed to prepare the team for Wednesday, when they’ll hold their first major scrimmage of the spring.

Big boys up front

Through six practices, Swinney gave his first-team offensive line “two thumbs up.”

He said he’s especially pleased with tackles Jackson Carman and Jordan McFadden and guard Matt Bockhorst while center Cade Stewart and guard Will Putnam have done a “super job.”

“The second group is all freshmen and the defense doesn’t really slow down,” Swinney said. “It’s a challenge. We’ve got the right guys.”

As for the defensive line, Swinney said that unit is “night and day” better in talent, functional depth and leadership.

Injury report

Swinney said cornerback Derion Kendrick has returned in full to practice Friday after being slowed earlier this week with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Andrew Booth, who’s working his way back from having a knee cleaned up in the offseason, was a limited participant in a green jersey.

Swinney said there were no new injuries to report.

‘A Decade to Remember Reunion’

This weekend, Clemson is hosting “A Decade to Remember Reunion” with all former players who played for Swinney from 2008-2019.

Swinney said several former Tigers will be attending the star-studded event, including Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins.