Clemson Football: Garrett Riley describes offense as “Violent and Fast”
As far as signing day fireworks go, there were none related to signees as Clemson football had secured their 27-member class back in December.
That doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything happening on campus at Clemson on National Signing Day, though, as Dabo Swinney led a celebration of the program’s latest commitments and Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley held his first media availability as a member of the Tiger staff.
While things slow down in the recruiting world with the dead period, it’s time for things to ramp up inside the program after a month of little football-related activities, with All In Drills in February, spring practice starting March 6 and the Spring Game scheduled for April 15.
After two years of a stagnant and unimaginative offense, first under Tony Elliot and this past season under Brandon Streeter, Swinney decided a change was needed and made that decision pretty quickly.
For his part Riley, while not tracking the Clemson program closely, had been following Dabo’s career and felt that the family atmosphere the Tigers are famous for fit his personality and the needs of his young family.
While Riley is pegged as an “Air Raid” coach, visions of a Mike Leach offense with 6 or 8 rushes per game should not dance in fans’ minds, as Riley determined early on that running the ball was necessary to win championships.
How about an “Air Raid that runs the ball”?
Clemson has had some success running the ball, but there was so much left on the table, especially in late November that Tiger fans felt cheated.
With both Will Shipley and Phil Mafah set to return in 2023 the Tigers are in a good spot and now have a fresh mind coordinating the attack.
In the grand scheme of things there has been little success and even less explosiveness in the passing game over the last two seasons and there are a myriad of reasons for that, plenty that don’t involve the No. 5 (and plenty that do).
While Cade Klubnik had his moments, it’s clear he wasn’t ready to lead the team from day one.
Next year it’s Cade’s team from day one and I expect him to lead as such and he’s much more of a high energy guy than D.J. Uiagalelei was.
My guess is you see a physically transformed Klubnik, who emerges as the leader the Tigers have been missing over the last two seasons on offense and one that has much more success in the Riley offense than he would have if the offense hadn’t been changed.
Just like 11 seasons ago, Dabo Swinney decided the Clemson football offense needed drastic change
It’s been 11 seasons since Dabo went out and found Chad Morris to reinvent what Clemson did on offense and the results were electric.
Can lightning strike twice?
Riley described his offense as “Fast and Violent” and he won the presser.
Once September 4 rolls around no one cares about winning pressers, they want to win the games.
They want fast and violent.