Dabo Swinney analyzes how Jordan Travis has improved

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers have a chance to put their names right back in the College Football Playoff conversation this weekend. Clemson will take on one of their biggest ACC rivals on the field Saturday vs. the No. 3-ranked Florida State Seminoles.
Given the clear implications, a win over the Seminoles would be huge for the Tigers. And in order to pick up the victory on Saturday, Swinney knows his squad will have to slow down Florida State’s Heisman-hopeful quarterback, Jordan Travis.
As Clemson prepares for their huge Saturday afternoon matchup, Swinney took a moment to praise Travis and analyze how he has improved over the years.
“Well, the game just looks slow for him. I mean, he’s very poised, he’s a great leader, he doesn’t flinch, he doesn’t panic,” said Swinney. “A couple of years ago, you could tell that the game was a little faster, and now the game just looks slow to him. He’s got great poise, and he’s got complete understanding; obviously, he’s been in the system now for three years, and he’s got a great grasp of what they’re doing. And he understands when you’ve done something for as long as he has; you understand the game within the game and the nuances of what you do.
“He really understands the little intricacies that separates a good player from a great player. So that’s the main thing,” Swinney continued. “And again, it’s his confidence that’s come from his experience and the success that he has had. He’s a very confident young man.”
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Slowing down Travis on Saturday will be no small task for the Clemson defense. Through his first three games of the season, the Florida State senior has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 739 yards, eight passing touchdowns, one rushing, and just one interception. He has also shown an improvement in pocket presence, and has only been sacked once this season.
In the same press conference, Swinney revealed Clemson could get their star offensive lineman, Walker Parks, back just in time for the game.
“He’s (dealing with a) lower body,” said Swinney. “He did practice yesterday, and I kind of held him a little bit today. So, as I said, he’s been kind of day-to-day.”
So far, things have been trending in the right direction for Parks to play on Saturday against Florida State, per Swinney. And his presence on the field could be huge as the Tigers look to improve to 3-1 on the season and possibly rain on their ACC rivals’ own College Football Playoff parade.