As the No. 14 Clemson Tigers prepare to take on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs on August 31 in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, head coach Dabo Swinney spoke to the media after the Tigers’ second scrimmage of fall camp. Clemson is in the final phases of getting ready for its much-anticipated season opener.
Scrimmage Takeaways
Swinney emphasized the significance of their final preseason scrimmage as a crucial indicator of the team’s preparedness. “It was good. It’s the last preseason game, if you will,” he said. “Tomorrow is our final camp practice. We’ll take a break on Saturday and start preparing for Georgia on Sunday.”
Clemson will now concentrate on the Bulldogs, with Swinney indicating a transition from “camp mode” to game prep. “We have a solid plan. Now, it’s time to shift focus from camp and turn our attention to our opponent,” he stated.
Injury Updates
One of the major highlights of camp so far has been the team’s overall health. “The key point is that everyone is uninjured,” Swinney said. “You can’t build toughness during the season; you need to come ready to play.” However, there were some important injury updates. Swinney revealed that three players are sidelined for the season: Watson Young and Myles Oliver, both with ACL injuries, along with offensive lineman Ian Reed.
Additionally, defensive back Shelton Lewis is considered day-to-day due to a lower-body injury.
Quarterbacks Impress
Swinney commended the growth of his quarterbacks during camp, noting their improvement. “I’ve been very happy. Those three have all taken strides and improved,” he remarked.
The position shows promising depth, with Swinney especially highlighting backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina for his strong performance in camp. “He’s progressed further than I expected. His ball placement is impressive, and the game seems to have slowed down for him. He’s had a solid camp, which is beneficial for the team, and he’s made some significant plays.”
Running Back Rotation
Swinney also took a moment to talk about his running back group, highlighting the development of Keith Adams, Jay Haynes, and David Eziomume. “Keith Adams has his own unique style,” Swinney stated. “Jay Haynes and David Eziomume fit more into the same category as [Phil] Mafah.”
Mafah, Clemson’s seasoned leader in the running back room, was rested during the scrimmage, giving younger players a chance to take on bigger responsibilities.
“We held a few players out today, including Mafah,” Swinney explained. “We wanted to evaluate the younger guys and see how they would respond in those roles.”
Freshmen Making Strides
Several freshmen have impressed Swinney during camp, particularly wide receiver TJ Moore, who is showing consistent improvement. “He’s improved every day. Things are starting to slow down for him, allowing his natural talent to shine through. He keeps getting better daily,” Swinney said.
Swinney acknowledged that while both Moore and fellow freshman Bryant Wesco are progressing well, “they’re not Jerry Rice yet, but with continued health and improvement, they have the potential to be really good.”
On the defensive side, Ashton Hampton and redshirt freshman Vic Burley are also making their mark. Swinney praised Hampton, saying, “He’s a great-looking kid—big and strong. Not many freshmen look like him.” Regarding Burley, he added, “Burley had a solid day today. I’m really proud of him; he stands out. When he’s on the field and his energy is up, he becomes a real threat.”
Tight end Christian Bentancur has also been a standout. Swinney had high praise for him, stating, “He might be one of the best kids we’ve ever signed at that position. That’s high praise. We have a strong group, but he’s going to be exciting to coach and watch grow.”
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