Venables seeing positive signs in Clemson linebacking corps

Going into the final week of spring practice, the conversation on defense centered around Brent Venables’ group after the last big scrimmage.

For a third-straight season, the Tigers’ DC hopes he’s found the right answer in the middle – and that answer could be around for a while in Kendall Joseph.

Joseph (6-foot, 230 pounds), a redshirt sophomore, impressed last spring so much so he out-performed senior and NFL Draft prospect B.J. Goodson. Multiple injuries sidelined Joseph to only 63 snaps in 2015, but he’s stepped right back in this offseason.

“(Joseph) picked it back up and looked really good,” Venables said. “He’s led us in production points and done really well. He’s quick and violent with his hands. Tracks the football well.

“Executes and communicates well. Good tackler. Plays with good punch and has pretty good range too. Lets you coach him hard and (is) very humble. Takes every day very serious.”

Around Joseph in reserve roles, there’s even less in the experience category.

Mid-year freshmen and top-20 prospects Shaq Smith (6-3, 240) and Tre Lamar (6-4, 240) have the buzz – and Smith led the last scrimmage in stops with six.

“They’re both good,” Venables said. “There’s some really good stuff that I’ve been pleased with. And then some mental mistakes. All things that you would expect. They are both two big, strong guys that can run. Physical. Like to play. Like to be coached. I’ve been pleased with them.”

Former four-star and top-100 prospect Chad Smith (6-4, 235) enrolled last spring – rated highest as an outside linebacker out of high school (No. 4).

“Chad’s done well,” Venables said. “Chad is still improving and maturing in the system, but he makes plays and gets his hands on balls. Knows where things are going. Just a redshirt freshman. Been pleased with Chad. He’s making incremental improvements. (He’s) somebody that has a chance to help us.”

Senior weakside linebacker Ben Boulware identified twins J.D. (6-1 225) and Judah Davis (6-1 230) as big movers this spring as true sophomores.

“Consistent. They’re super-consistent,” Venables said. “Know what to do. They react a little bit faster to some things. They’ve been consistent in where they’re supposed to be. There’s a lot of ingredients to the secret sauce, but that’s a big ingredient.”

Overall, the Tigers’ fifth-year D-coordinator is feeling pretty good about his position – especially compared to 2015’s spring session.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Venables seeing positive signs in Clemson linebacking corps."