5 thoughts, observations from second day of Clemson’s spring football practices
Despite Friday only being Clemson’s second day of spring practices, the Tigers are settling into their roles whether a newcomer or veteran. Those who are out with injuries continue to make progress while the younger players are using this time to get ahead and have a smoother transition to the collegiate level.
Here are five takeaways from Day Two of the Tigers’ spring practices:
Getting in early
Being a midyear enrollee has its advantages.
Cornerbacks Jeadyn Lukus and Toriano Pride are learning that and solidifying their decisions to arrive at Clemson in January. The two had their second day of practices and are still getting used to things. Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed had to correct both during drills, but the critique was received and both earned praise for each moment of growth.
Lukus is a five-star recruit from Mauldin and the top-ranked player in South Carolina, while Pride, a four-star, is the third-ranked player in Illinois, per 247Sports.
Elijah Rogers isn’t new to college football, having spent time at Gardner-Webb and Indiana while also playing special teams for Clemson as a walk-on in 2021. This year, though, the Gaffney native will have a chance to get on the field at corner and performed well during spring practice No. 2.
Weathering the storm
One doesn’t have to know safety Lannden Zanders to know he’s weathered the storm of a tumultuous six months. The redshirt junior re-injured his shoulder in Clemson’s 2021 season opener in August after playing injured the season prior. A few months after that, his family home in Shelby, North Carolina caught fire while he was in it, though he was able to get out before the house was destroyed.
He’s not fully back, but has gone through drills during the first two practices without appearing to have any kind pain in the previously-injured shoulder. Presumed to be an option as a starter last year after having made nine starts in 2020, Zanders has a chance to nab the spot come fall.
New No. 8
With Justyn Ross gone, Clemson had an opening for the No. 8 jersey. Midyear enrollee Adam Randall swooped it up and, much like Ross, was hard to miss.
While not the tallest-listed wide receiver on the Tigers’ roster, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound four-star recruit from Myrtle Beach High has a solid build with a large wingspan, as demonstrated by his ability to grab 50-50 balls during practice drills.
Clemson seems set with its wide receiver starters in Beaux Collins, Brannon Spector and Joseph Ngata — all of whom took first reps again Friday — but Randall could be a valuable backup, especially given the Tigers’ struggles with injuries last year within the unit and the transfer departures of Ajou Ajou and Frank Ladson.
“He’s really fast. He has a lot of deceptive speed, and he’s just a big guy,” Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei said. “I mean, you see him out there and he kind of looks like more like a DK Metcalf, kind of like Joe Ngata. He’s big like that. He’s gonna be great tool. I think as long as he gets the offense down, he’s gonna be marvelous. He’ll be a great receiver for us.”
Randall comes to Clemson as a state champion and holds Myrtle Beach’s record for most receiving yards in a single game after totaling 10 catches for 255 yards against rival North Myrtle Beach. He ended his preps career as one of five finalists for Mr. Football in South Carolina.
Special teams services
At the beginning of the 2021 season, Clemson’s punt and kickoff return duties were bestowed upon Will Taylor, but after his ACL tear, a combined six Tigers took their turn at the spot. Will Brown had a team-high 12 punt returns and Will Shipley led the team with 14 kickoff returns.
With Brown graduated and Shipley rehabbing a foot injury, Drew Swinney, who had a kickoff and punt return in 2021, Troy Stellato, Hamp Greene and Domonique Thomas all took turns returning punts.
BT Potter opted to return for another season and is expected to remain the starting kicker. He averaged 64.3 yards per kickoff last season.
Sidelined but not stagnant
While rising junior quarterback Kobe Pace wasn’t on the field nor dressed out, the running back could be found on an airbike on the sidelines. He was still sporting a boot on his foot for an injured big toe, but seems to be progressing well.
Sharing backfield duties with Shipley last year, he was the second-leading rusher with 641 yards and six touchdowns on 104 carries with six starts during his sophomore campaign.
Much like Pace, tight end Davis Allen, who had a shoulder injury, was seen getting in off-field work. Allen went through a simulated practice drill where he was seated and had to catch small rubber balls. Once healthy, he’ll be expected to take another step in his development as well after establishing himself as a pass-catching threat at tight end.
Allen earned the starting role four games into 2021 and finished the season with 208 yards and three scores on 28 receptions.
This story was originally published March 4, 2022 at 6:14 PM.
