New kicker tries out at practice Wednesday

TigerNet Staff by

Clemson's kicking situation through seven games has the Tigers looking for some new options.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he brought in senior Clemson student Drew Costa to tryout Wednesday. Costa was a kicker for Bishop England in Charleston.

Swinney said Costa has tried out for the team before.

"I told him he is on a day to day contract - kick to kick contract," Swinney said. "You know in the NBA they got those 10-day contracts. I told him you are on a day to day, kick to kick contract. He is actually a really good kid...He actually tried out two years ago or three years ago and we really liked him. We just didn't have a spot. So we kinda inventoried him and bring him back out in the spring.

"He had like hernia surgery so he couldn't kick (then). He couldn't do anything. That is when we found Heugel. So we bring Huegel out for the fall and we didn't have a spot for another kicker. But he has always been right there on the fringe...First time out here today so I introduced him to the fellows."

Clemson starting kicker Greg Huegel suffered a torn ACL during a live drill in practice three games in.

Backup Alex Spence has struggled stepping in, going 2-for-6 on field goal attempts and missing two from under 40 yards out in last week's 27-24 loss.