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Dabo Swinney on Xavier Kelly – “He’s still got a ways to go”

By Anthony Messenger

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a call during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a call during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson football program has depth concerns at defensive end. Redshirt freshman, Xavier Kelly may not be ready, but, he will be counted on to play in 2017.

With Lasamuel Davis’ decision to transfer and Richard Yeargin’s season ending car accident, Clemson football is paper-thin at defensive end. What was once a strength for the Tigers entering the offseason has become a weakness.

Behind starters, Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell, Clemson has Chris Register (RJr), Xavier Kelly (RFr), Justin Foster (Fr) and Logan Rudolph (Fr).

Tigernet.com asked Dabo Swinney about Kelly’s prospects at playing time in 2017, to which he responded:

"He’s still got a ways to go. I think he wants to, his talent is unquestioned; he’s got it all. He’s still got to put it all together though."

While this doesn’t sound particularly assuring, Swinney went on to clarify that Kelly’s issue is more mental than physical saying, “I wish he was a little further along than he is right now, but, physically he’s as good as we’ve got.”

Expectations were high for Kelly coming out of high school as he was a consensus four-star prospect. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Kelly didn’t look like your typical freshman when he arrived on campus as a freshman. His frame suggests he is at Clemson to play power forward, rather than defensive end.

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Athletically there is little that Kelly isn’t capable of doing. He has a phenomenal burst and frightening top end speed. There are few lineman with his quick-twitch ability.

After an injury to Austin Bryant in 2016, Kelly was in-line for playing time, but, ultimately suffered an injury of his own. A freak moped accident prevented Kelly from suiting up as a freshman. Now entering his second year in Death Valley, Kelly will be counted on to provide valuable rotational reps along the Tigers’ front seven.

Impact in 2017

Yes, Kelly still has progress to make from a mental standpoint, however, that hasn’t stopped players from making an impact in the past. Take Deon Cain for example, who arrived at Clemson as a high school quarterback. Upon switching to receiver Cain instantly became the Tigers’ most lethal deep threat, despite his lack of experience.

Cain was able to have an impact as a true freshman, because he was put in favorable situations. Co-offensive coordinators, Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott knew that he was not capable of running a wide variety of routes, so they didn’t ask him to. Cain was used on go-routes and screens, to highlight his elusiveness and speed.

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Defensive coordinator, Brent Venables must not overload Kelly with responsibilities. He is at his best when he is able to use his sheer athleticism to get to the ball. While Kelly must develop a firm grasp of the entire system eventually, it is better to ease him into the flow of the game, than to drown him in information right off the bat.

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