Freshmen who will play, and more on Scotty Cooper

Although fall semester classes began last Wednesday, Tuesday marked what Dabo Swinney called “the end of camp” for the Clemson football team. In layman’s terms, it’s the time when coaches stop focusing on pitting their players against each other and start focusing on the opponent – in this case, North Texas, the Tigers’ season opener on Sept. 4.

Swinney said Clemson did some scrimmaging Tuesday “to do some full speed tackling, because we needed to tackle full speed and get tackled full speed.”

There was one injury – tailback Rod McDowell sprained his ankle – but overall, Clemson is very healthy with the season just 10 days away.

“We’ll turn the page (Wednesday) to North Texas,” Swinney said. “We’re kind of tired of looking at each other. Ready to start looking at their personnel, knocking the dust off of some of our preliminary scouting reports and stuff we’ve done. See if we can go win the opener. That’ll be the emphasis from this point on.”

Focusing on North Texas means the formation of scout teams, which are formed partially by redshirting freshmen. Swinney has said that linebacker Justin Parker and wideout DeAndre Hopkins are certainties to play, but he added another name to the mix Tuesday: cornerback Martin Jenkins.

“He’s a guy the staff really feels good about,” Swinney said. “He’s very, very focused for a freshman, most guys don’t have that type of demeanor he has. He’s scrappy, he’s tough, He’s got some good strength. I think he’s a guy that’s positioned himself well to help us.”

Other candidates to avoid a redshirt include offensive guard Kalon Davis (who offensive coordinator Billy Napier had said “would definitely play), safety Bashaud Breeland and safety Darius Robinson, as well as tight end Vic Beasley.

Beasley was once considered a lock to play, but the emergence of Drew Traylor and Darrell Smith at tight end has made the staff more confident about redshirting Beasley, a very athletic prospect.

One guy who won’t be playing this fall is linebacker Scotty Cooper. Monday, Clemson announced he was giving up football due to a nerve problem in his neck and shoulder area. Cooper was running as the second-team “Sam” linebacker behind redshirt freshman Quandon Christian. He got significant playing time as a sophomore but served in a more limited role last fall in Kevin Steele’s system, which de-emphasized the Sam as a coverage ‘backer in favor of a more permanent nickel back.

Still, his loss is a blow to a linebacker corps which could have used his experience. Daniel Andrews moves up to second-team Sam, but don’t be surprised if Steele shuffles the deck to get more talent/experience there.

“(Cooper) is an explosive hitter, a very violent guy, was on his way to having a great season for us but he’s got a little nerve issue in his neck/shoulder area,” Swinney said. “It’ll get better but as soon as he starts pounding again, it’s numbness and pain and he can’t even sleep. He’s as tough a guy as you’re going to find but his health is more important long-term. It’s what’s best for him.”

As Swinney said, “we all want to keep playing forever,” but Cooper’s role will now be as a student coach; he hopes to have a coaching career. Swinney thinks he can shine there, too.

“Scotty’s one of those guys that I think would have a lot to offer young people as he matures and continues to see the big picture of life,” he said. “Scotty’s a guy that will have a lot to give back. I hope he’ll take advantage of the opportunity and in the next couple years grow in that area and open some doors.”

And finally, a note on punter Dawson Zimmerman, who seems determined to take a step forward from an up-and-down sophomore season. As Swinney noted, “he’s been a practice All-American since he’s been here.”

“I’m scared to say anything to him, want to see it in the stadium over there,” Swinney said. “ He told me the other day he was going to be a game All-American and not just a practice All-American. He’s been consistent. The scrimmages, whatever. Dawson’s been good.”