Who'll play next fall? Swinney sees opportunity for first-year freshmen at all positions

Being a need-based recruiting class, Clemson’s group of 20 signees will arrive on campus to an open door of opportunity.

Eventually, Swinney’s plan is for most of the Tigers’ incoming freshmen to redshirt.

But the program isn’t there yet; so for at least another season, Clemson’s youngest players will have the chance to figure prominently during their rookie seasons – particularly at the offensive line, defensive line, and defensive secondary positions.

“When you look at our needs, we obviously gradated some very veteran offensive linemen and defensive linemen,” said Swinney. “Those were areas of emphasis for us, and I thought we did an outstanding job of filling those needs.

“We signed four offensive linemen, and all four of those guys are here in school, right now. And we signed six defensive linemen – three ends and three tackles.”

Another area of emphasis was the defensive secondary, where the Tigers added four players.

“Our goal at DB this year was to recruit a certain body type,” Swinney said. “When you look at these four DBs, they all have length to them, they’re physical and they can run. These are guys who’ll bring us more versatility in the secondary.

“We signed one quarterback, one running back, one wide receiver, and one linebacker, and then we signed that I think is the best punter in the country in Bradley Pinion. That, to me, was a critical need.”

As he surveys his list of 20, Swinney sees no area in which a freshman might not end up on the field next fall.

“We’re going to have some youth up front on both sides, so there’s nothing set in stone there and great opportunity,” Swinney said. “There’s always a spot for a great athlete. At running back, Zac Brooks is a guy who’s here, and he’s a big back, which we don’t really have…and it’s a position where we don’t have a lot of bodies.”

The fact that eight of the Tigers’ 20 signees have already enrolled in school and will participate in off-season conditioning and spring practice adds another dynamic to the mix, Swinney said.

“The eight mid-year guys – just the fact that they’re here gives them opportunity,” he said. “When you go through an off-season program and a spring, and you go through installation on both sides of the ball at a pace where you can kind of grasp it, and then have a chance to go back through everything all summer – you’re way ahead of a normal freshman who shows up in July and tries to start from scratch.

“And I could see a DB or two getting in the mix, as well. We’ll just see how it goes.”