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Dabo Swinney Press Conference vs. Kent State: Analysis and Notes

By Shawn Spencer

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney held his weekly press conference to talk about facing the Kent State Golden Flashes. Here’s news and analysis from it.

Dabo Swinney held his weekly press conference to preview Clemson football’s opponent for the upcoming week.

Swinney talked about facing Kent State and what he wants to see out of his team going forward.

Here’s our news and notes from the press conference.

Notes:

  • Kelly Bryant doesn’t need to be “Super-Man,” according to Dabo Swinney. Swinney believes that  Bryant has a ton of talent around him to be successful and also gave his confidence to Bryant, saying that the fans booed Tajh Boyd as the starter, but they didn’t change their plan and it worked out.
  • Every running back will play. Something we already new, but it was nice for Swinney to reaffirm that we will see every single running back at some point on Saturday, including the dynamic freshman Travis Etienne.
  • Ray-Ray McCloud will be the returner. McCloud, according to Swinney, has worked hard to clean up the mistakes he made last year in the return game. Also prepared to go back in that position are Tavien Feaster, Cornell Powell, Amari Rodgers, C.J. Fuller, Mark Fields, and Deon Cain.

    • Cornerbacks aren’t set.

    Dabo Swinney said that even though Marcus Edmond and Ryan Carter are listed as starters, you will see a ton of different cornerbacks.

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    Injury Updates:

    • Logan Rudolph will have to have surgery on his shoulder, but is going to try and play through it for now.
    • Swinney was happy with the progress Richard Yeargin has made, who injured his neck in a car accident back in the summer.
    • Shaq Smith is nursing an injury. He will play and is listed on the depth chart, just not the public one that was released.
    • Denzel Johnson is doubtful for Saturday and Garrett Williams is making great progress, but will be out this week.

    Next: Clemson Football: Scouting Report vs. Kent State

    Analysis:

    I’m ready to see this team get on the field.

    I think the starting position at both cornerback positions are completely open. Could we see Trayvon Mullen step into that spot or maybe Mark Fields finally comes into his own?

    It will be interesting to see if the thing the coaching staff has said is true about Kelly Bryant. Only time will tell, but, for the most part, there’s nothing surprising coming out of Tuesday’s press conference.

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