Clemson player notes for Feb 28th, 2019


Austin Bryant – Noteworthy
Austin Bryant made big plays down the stretch for Clemson during the 2018 season as the Tigers earned their second national title in three years, and the senior did so while playing through an injury, according to a report. Bryant, who was named the Defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl after recording three tackles for loss and two sacks, suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a game against Louisville on Nov. 3, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

Bryant had surgery on Jan. 17 and will not participate in drills at the NFL combine, according to Rapoport. He is expected to be selected in the middle rounds of the 2019 NFL draft. The Georgia native was named third-team All-ACC in 2018 after recording 44 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He started all 15 games. Bryant had three sacks in eight games before being injured against Louisville and recorded five sacks in the final seven games after being injured against the Cardinals. Bryant was named an All-American in 2017. – The State

Tavien Feaster – Noteworthy
Clemson has a clear-cut No. 1 back in Heisman candidate Travis Etienne, but the Tigers should have an intense battle for the backup job. Tavien Feaster and Lyn-J Dixon were both in the running back rotation in 2018 and will battle for the backup job in 2019. Feaster, a rising senior, said during the College Football Playoff that he might transfer during the offseason, but he appears poised to finish out his career with the Tigers. Dixon led Clemson in yards per carry at 8.8 last year, compiling 547 yards on 62 carries. With an offseason under his belt, Dixon should go toe-to-toe with Feaster for the backup job this season. – The State

Trevor Lawrence – Noteworthy
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney moved up and down the rows of Tigers players, patting their shoulder pads and helmets as the national champions got ready for practice. “We’re back,” Swinney said. “Good to be back.” Less than two months after winning its second national title in three years, Clemson began its journey to what it hopes is another chance to finish on top. “We were the last time to walk off in college football” last season, Swinney said Wednesday. “And we’re the first or one of the first to get back on it.” Clemson finished modern major college football’s first 15-0 season with a dominant 44-16 victory over Alabama in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 7.

The Tigers will have work ahead of them with seven defensive starters from that game either done with their eligibility like tackle Christian Wilkins and end Austin Bryant or, in the case of defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell, linebacker Tre Lamar and cornerback Trayvon Mullen, surrendering their remaining time in college to enter the NFL draft. On offense, though, the Tigers should be loaded, led by Trevor Lawrence, who went 11-0 as a freshman starter and is considered a strong Heisman Trophy contender this fall. – AP College Football