Clemson defense finds validation in spring game

Saturday’s Orange and White spring game was a time to reflect on Clemson’s 2018 national championship, but it was also a chance to turn the page for the current group of Tiger defenders.

Many of last year’s seniors, including defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell, showed up at Memorial Stadium to receive their national championship rings at halftime.

During the game, however, new names emerged. So did a familiar name at a new position. Overall, the defense came out of Saturday’s four quarters with a renewed spirit.

“Having all of the guys that left (after) last year, a lot of people had a lot of question marks about our defense,” said junior linebacker Shaq Smith, who had seven total tackles for the Orange team. “I felt like today we came out and solidified ourselves. People saying we’re young and things like that, I think a lot of those young guys stepped up.”

They’ll have to in August as well. That vicious, heralded defensive line from a year ago is gone. So are two starting linebackers and a starting cornerback.

“There’s a lot of hunger,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said after the spring game. “There’s a lot of guys with something to prove. There’s a lot of enthusiasm with all of these young guys.”

Tiger fans were introduced to freshman cornerback and early enrollee Sheridan Jones, who led the White team with seven tackles. The four-star recruit from Norfolk, Virginia, forced a fumble when he poked the ball free from receiver Carter Groomes in the first half to set up a touchdown. Jones also picked off Ben Batson and returned it for a 42-yard TD with 1:04 to play.

“Really proud of him,” Swinney said. “It was good to see him make that play. I thought he made two or three really good plays today.”

A.J. Terrell, the cornerback opposite of Jones, intercepted a Trevor Lawrence pass for a White squad that used three turnovers to spark a 30-10 victory over the Orange team.

“A.J.’s had a great spring,” Lawrence said. “It’s been hard to throw on him.

“Sheridan, I feel like he’s gotten a lot better. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s physical, plays with a lot of passion. He’s smart and made a lot of plays today.”

Derion Kendrick, a sophomore who played receiver last year, debuted at cornerback and wasn’t nervous about his new role. He said it’s been an easy transition because of how many different positions he played at South Pointe High School.

“I was very excited,”Kendrick said. “I was looking forward to matching up with (Justyn) Ross. He won on two routes. It ain’t nothing.”

Both run defenses showed up as the Tigers combined to record just 54 yards in the run game.

The White team held the Orange to 286 total yards and got sacks from Justin Mascoll and James Skalski.

The Orange defense recorded two sacks and gave up 308 yards.

“We’ve got really good players who have a lot to prove and we’ve got a lot of good players that are back who are proven in my view that I think are going to be challenged,” Swinney said. “Those are good intangibles to have on your football team when you’re starting a new journey.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2019 at 7:44 AM.