Dabo Swinney gives grim update on punting situation
The Clemson Tigers are having a tough time replacing the magic leg of former punter Will Spiers, according to head coach Dabo Swinney this week. The Tigers have punters on the roster but the key will be finding the most consistent in the next few weeks.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Swinney said of the punting situation on Monday. “I thought Aidan (Swanson) had a really bad first day and then he came out the next day, maybe because you guys weren’t here, and he was unbelievable. So, he’s just got to find a way to be consistent. He can do it. That might have been the worst punting drill I’ve ever seen in my life that first day. Awful. We’re going for it on fourth down.
“But then you come back the next day and he was awesome. Won the day in our big punt competition. I feel good about our protection and about our personnel. We’ll be ready, but we’re not ready right now.”
Aidan Swanson heads into 2022 having previously averaged 38.1 yards on eight career punts. The junior from Tampa could take the starting role but he also faces a young challenger. The Tigers added top-five punting prospect Jack Smith to the 2022 signing class for some added depth.
Spiers was a walk-on who ended up as a five-year starter. His 69 starts for the Tigers set a Clemson and modern FBS record. He averaged 41.4 yards on 292 career punts, finishing with 108 punts downed inside the 20, 17 touchbacks and 59 punts of 50-plus yards. He also held three of the top six seasons on record in net punting average by a Clemson punter at the end of his career.
Spiers’ father and fellow former Tiger, Bill, is still with the program heading into the 2022 season as director of special teams.
Swinney updates injury status of Tre’ Williams
Clemson could be without one of its veteran defensive linemen for the season opener against Georgia Tech. Defensive tackle Tre’ Williams recently suffered a leg injury in the weight room, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Monday evening.
Williams did not attend Monday’s practice and could be out for a few weeks.
“Tre’, he’s going to be probably out probably a few weeks, but not anything long-term at all,” Swinney said. “He had a little injury in the weight room, but nothing long-term.”
Williams will have a procedure on Tuesday morning. The redshirt sophomore appeared in 11 games last season, with one start. He recorded 13 tackles, including four tackles for loss.
“Clean him up [Tuesday] morning, actually. It’s nothing major. He’ll be back,” Swinney said. “Hopefully maybe back for Georgia Tech, hopefully, but certainly sooner rather than later.”
On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.