CLEMSON, SC ( Associated Press) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has taught a lot over the past seven seasons. Along the way, some guidance was lost in the midst of that victory.
“There are some things you can’t teach at the top of the mountain,” Swain said Friday while opening the fall camp by the Tigers.
His team, Swinney believes, takes a fresh, healthy approach to what happened in 2021. A year earlier, the Tigers were the favorites to win their seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference crown and a seventh consecutive berth in the college football playoffs.
Instead, Clemson won 4-3. openedThat included defeats to eventual national champions Georgia and ACC winners Pittsburgh.
In Swine’s own words, the Tigers weren’t very good, but he told them they would be judged on how they came back with most of the season to play.
Clemson finished with six consecutive wins — the longest current streak among Power Five programs — and has been on pace this entire season.
“He has gotten a reset on the appreciation of the win,” Swain said. “Sometimes, you can win so much that you can lose respect for it.”
Any disrespect for the procedure came with a rash of injuries the likes of which the program had not experienced in many years. Starting tailback Will Shipley missed three games with a foot injury, while defensive tackle Brian Bracey — like Shipley a five-star recruit — lost to North Carolina State for the final nine games after losing an ACL.
Both were ruled out of the spring drill but were back on the field on Friday and eager to deliver a punch they couldn’t quite deliver last season.
Bracey broke loose earlier this summer and was thrilled to be working again with his teammates.
“I think this season, we’ve been very close as a team,” Bracey said. “It’s been a big deal for us.”
Shipley said the pace has been a big lift for the Tigers since their finish last year.
“We’ve definitely got it in the back of our minds,” he said. “We’re ready to finish on September 5th” to start the season at Georgia Tech.
Starting quarterback DJ Uigalelli went through growing pains, very. Regarded as the successor to national championship winner and top overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence, Uyagalei struggled with his footwork and accuracy.
Uiagalelei completed less than 56% of his throws for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He heard grumbling from fans who wanted him to be transferred.
Uigalelli worked on his body and habits instead of getting discouraged. He cut out most of the junk food and reported being 20 pounds lighter this week than his listed 250 pounds a year ago.
“Shoot, he lost 20, 25 pounds,” Shipley said. “His dedication has never been in question. … I can’t wait to see him prosper.”
Offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter said Uigalelli worked hard to study the video and refine his technique in hopes of leading Clemson into championship competition.
“Really proud of where[Uyagalely]was, battling and overcoming some stuff last year,” said Streeter, the quarterback coach. “It’s part of life, and he’s learning those lessons and he’s doing a great job right now.”
Slim-down Uiagalelei went through warm-up exercises before driving the Clemson starters down the field in an up-tempo attack. His throws were quick and on target.
Swain said Uigalelli will bring a healthy attitude on the field this season just like his teammates.
“They have a good discussion,” Swain said. “I love his mindset, his mindset. I think it will serve them well. ,
,
More Associated Press College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ Associated Press_Top25 Sign up for Associated Press’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
