Monday morning practice observations

David Hood by Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – The Tigers began their final two-a-days of fall camp Monday morning with a short practice in Jervey Meadows.

Practice lasted just an hour-and-a-half due to the fact that the many of the freshmen were not in attendance due to freshman orientation being held Monday morning.

Practice nuggets

*I wanted to see if Chris Register Chris Register

RS Fr. Outside Linebacker

#45 6-2, 245

Browns Summit, NC

View Full Profile had moved back to linebacker after the loss of Korie Rogers Korie Rogers

RS Fr. Outside Linebacker

#43 6-2, 235

Buford, GA

View Full Profile , but Register is still working with the defensive ends.

*The team practiced the rugby style kicks – special teams work was the majority of the first part of practice – and Artavis Scott Artavis Scott

So. Wide Receiver

#3 5-10, 190

Oldsmar, FL

View Full Profile continues to wow me at punt return. He scooped up one bouncing ball and scooted through four defenders before they had a chance to plant their feet. He may lack true top-end speed like a sprinter, but he has the “quicks” and in the return game that can mean the difference between being tackled or breaking one.

Would love to see him get more work at that position and a chance to return during the season.

*A scary few seconds – quarterback Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson

So. Quarterback

#4 6-2, 205

Gainesville, GA

View Full Profile was running the read option early in the practice and awkwardly slipped to the ground. A hush fell over the entire practice field, but Watson smiled and hopped back up without a problem.

*Head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney

Head Coach

View Full Profile told the team, “We are a big team. We are a fast team. We are an athletic team. But will we be an intelligent team? I want to see that today.”

Practice visitors

*Several NFL teams – the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears – had scouts at Tuesday’s practice.

I walked over to one scout and mentioned that there weren’t a lot of seniors on this team, but he smiled brightly and replied, “No. We have to wait a few more years but that quarterback (Deshaun Watson) is a stud. I didn’t have this area last season so I only watched him on TV. I can’t wait to see him in person. He’s Marcus Mariota with accuracy.”

*2018 Greenville (SC) Christ Church linebacker Khalid Jones attended practice with his family. Jones is just a sophomore and already 6-1, 225 pounds.

Injury updates

*Freshman quarterback Tucker Israel Tucker Israel

Fr. Quarterback

#10 5-11, 190

Orlando, FL

View Full Profile is no longer in a walking boot. Israel broke his fifth metatarsal during the first practice period of fall camp. He’s now in regular cleats, but isn’t practicing. He spent a portion of the practice throwing the football with a trainer. He didn’t appear to be limping too heavily.

* Korrin Wiggins Korrin Wiggins

Jr. Defensive Back

#12 5-11, 195

Durham, NC

View Full Profile , who suffered a torn ACL during last week’s scrimmage, was sporting a brace and his playbook. Wiggins was hobbling around, but was prepared to take all of the mental reps with the defense.

Head coach Dabo Swinney saw Wiggins on the sideline and ran over and asked him if he was ready. Wiggins held up his playbook and smiled and said yes.

*Long snapper Jim Brown Jim Brown

RS Sr. Long Snapper

#76 6-4, 230

Walterboro, SC

View Full Profile , wide receiver Shadell Bell Shadell Bell

Fr. Wide Receiver

#11 6-3, 190

Decatur, GA

View Full Profile and running back Zac Brooks Zac Brooks

Running Back (2012 - 2015)

#24 6-0, 200

Jonesboro, AR

View Full Profile were all in yellow jerseys.

Assistant coaches

Clemson welcomes back several former players as student assistant coaches. Keith Adams Keith Adams



View Full Profile , Terry Allen, Diamond Adams, Aaron Pringle, Roy Walker and David Davis have returned to Clemson to finish their degrees. They receive a scholarship but are not paid to coach.

Diamond Adams began his Clemson career in 1998. During his first game against Furman, his mother had a heart attack and passed away in the stands.

Clemson has four graduate assistants: Thomas Austin Thomas Austin

Sr. Offensive Guard

# 6-4, 310

Camden, SC

View Full Profile Thomas Austin

Offensive Line

# 6-4, 310

Camden, SC

View Full Profile Thomas Austin

Offensive Line

# 6-4, 285

Camden, SC

View Full Profile , Durrell Barry Durrell Barry

Tight End

# 6-5, 265

Charleston, SC

View Full Profile , Tyler Grisham Tyler Grisham

Wide Receiver (2008)

# 5-11, 185

Birmingham, AL

View Full Profile and DeAndre McDaniel DeAndre McDaniel

Safety (2007 - 2010)

#2 6-1, 180

Tallahassee, FL

View Full Profile – all of whom are in their second season with the program.