Dabo Swinney Praises Defensive Standouts Amare Adams and Will Heldt After Clemson Spring Scrimmage

Transfer defensive end Will Heldt, coming to Clemson from Purdue, has impressed the coaching staff with his readiness. Swinney noted, “He looks like he’s been here for four years,” adding that Heldt’s impact was already felt in the scrimmage, where he recorded a sack. “He looks exactly how I thought he’d look. He’s gonna help us,” Swinney said, clearly confident that Heldt will play a big role on the defensive line.

The Tigers’ defense isn’t the only group drawing praise. Coach Swinney also highlighted freshman cornerback Ronan Hanafin, who made an impressive play during the scrimmage. Hanafin, originally a wide receiver, showcased his skills with “one of the best plays” of the day, when he brought down running back David Eziomume in a one-on-one open-field tackle. Swinney praised Hanafin’s physicality, acknowledging the difficulty of such tackles.

While the defense has been solid, there are some setbacks on the offensive side, especially along the offensive line. Freshman Brayden Jacobs, who stepped in as starting left tackle for the scrimmage, had a tough start but “settled in” after facing off against Clemson’s standout defensive end, TJ Parker. Swinney described it as a “great opportunity” for Jacobs to grow, despite the early struggles. The injury to starting left tackle Tristan Leigh, who underwent a “little procedure” for an ankle issue, also contributed to the reshuffling. Swinney reassured fans that Leigh would be fine but noted he was using a scooter during Monday’s practice.

Unfortunately, not all news was positive. Backup running back Jarvis Green, who impressed during the College Football Playoff with a touchdown, will miss the remainder of spring practice due to a mid-foot sprain. “Really hate Jarvis is out, because he was having a good spring,” Swinney said, expressing disappointment over Green’s injury.

On a more positive note, Swinney discussed wide receiver Adam Randall’s transition to running back, a move that has exceeded expectations. “It’s gone better than we’d hoped. I’m really, really excited for our team and for him… He’s really different and he creates some challenges,” Swinney said. Randall’s ability to adapt to a new position has been a bright spot during spring practice.

Finally, backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina continues to see plenty of work with the first-team offense, which Swinney believes is crucial for his development. “He’s gonna keep getting better… He’s a guy where we’ve gotta have him ready, when the moment comes up, to go win a game,” Swinney stated, emphasizing the importance of Vizzina’s growth as Clemson prepares for the upcoming season.