The annual Clemson football media day was held Tuesday. Here are some news and notes from the Tigers’ 2019 media day.
Clemson football held its annual Media Day Tuesday to preview and give analysis on the upcoming 2019 season.
All of the assistant coaches were made available to the media and answered questions pertaining to the upcoming season, competition in fall camp and much more.
Here are a few news and notes from Clemson football’s 2019 Media Day.
- Amari Rodgers rehab update
Jeff Scott told the media that Amari Rodgers has already been cleared to run in a straight line and will be able to make lateral movements soon. He expects Rodgers to be back sooner than the final four games of the season.
- Shaq Smith, Tavien Feaster transfers surprising
Brent Venables said that he was surprised when Shaq Smith came to him and told him that he wanted to transfer, but that Smith felt he was doing what was best for himself. Smith was going to have the opportunity to start this coming season.
Feaster had been rumored as a possible transfer for quite some time, but Tony Elliott said the timing of the transfer was what caught him off guard.
- A little help at tight end
It was officially announced that Garrett Williams will be forgoing his final season of eligibility. Williams is still rehabbing a knee injury and may stick around with the Clemson football program as a coach, but his plan is to join the military at some point after the rehab is complete.
With that being said, the Tigers will have JC Chalk most likely as the starter and two true-freshmen in Davis Allen and Jaelyn Lay. Georgia Southern transfer J.L. Banks is on the roster and Luke Price, a walk-on at linebacker, will also switch positions and play tight end.
- Other notes:
The coaches are happy with their depth in the defensive backfield. Despite the two-deep depth chart at linebacker not being completely filled out, Brent Venables believes the group is talented and has the skill and depth to be very good.
Derion Kendrick will get the first shot at punt returner with Amari Rodgers out with an injury during fall camp.
Overall, there weren’t many surprises or things to change the perspective of the season. It’s clear the Tigers have plenty of depth and that they’re going to be a favorite for the CFB Playoff heading into the 2019 season.