Dabo Swinney explains decision to pull redshirt from Clemson WR Ronan Hanafin
Clemson was hoping to have freshman receiver Ronan Hanafin redshirt in 2023. However, Hanafin’s versatility makes him too valuable to keep off the field.
Dabo Swinney explained during his press conference on Tuesday why Hanafin will no longer redshirt this season and will instead be a regular contributor for the Tigers, at least on special teams.
The decision goes back to receiver Cole Turner being lost for the year with an injury.
“Cole getting hurt. Cole being out for the year. And just kind of looking at the longevity of the season,” Swinney said of why Hanafin is no longer redshirting. “We knew that Ronan could help us on special teams right away, because we’re a little thin right there as far as a core guy. And man, he did a great job for us last week. So he’s a guy that needs to be a core guy for us moving forward.”
Ronan Hanafin did not play in the Clemson opener against Duke, before getting nine snaps in Week 2 against Charleston Southern.
He didn’t play offense each of the past two weeks against FAU or Florida State, but he did contribute on special teams in both games. As his career goes along, Swinney expects him to be valuable as a receiver, too.
“He’s just going to keep getting better as a receiver. He’s a very, very mature kid, conscientious kid. He can run, he’s tough. He’s got ball skills,” Swinney said. “But the biggest need is we needed another core special teams guy and just his physicality and his maturity.”
Had Turner stayed healthy, Ronan Hanafin would’ve played four games for Clemson and redshirted this season. Instead, he was unexpectedly thrown into the fire and is playing well.
“Had it not been for Cole going down, we would’ve probably stayed the course with him,” Swinney said of Hanafin. “But that’s the decision there.”
Dabo Swinney announces Nate Wiggins, Antonio Williams are ‘day-to-day’ in their recovery
Clemson has a couple of players who are out for the season in Cole Turner and Walker Parks. Others like Nate Wiggins and Antonio Williams are dealing with injuries that aren’t expected to be long-term.
Swinney provided an update on Wiggins and Williams on Tuesday, stating that both are “day-to-day.”
Williams missed last week’s game against Florida State after suffering an ankle injury against FAU.
“Getting better,” Swinney said when asked about his star receiver. “Improving every day.”
As for Wiggins, he suffered a leg injury at the end of regulation against Florida State. The injury appeared bad at first as he was unable to put any pressure on his leg, but Swinney revealed that there was no ligament damage done.
“Day-to-day. He’s day-to-day,” Swinney said. “Moved around last night, and I think he’ll get better each day. We’ll see.”