Brent Venables does not think his players are challenged by the fact defensive tackle D.J. Reader is taking a hiatus from the football team, but instead excited. Clemson’s defensive coordinator says guys like Christian Wilkins, Scott Pagano, Albert Huggins, Roderick Byers and Jabril Robinson now have a better shot at taking more snaps, which should have them all excited.
“If you asked them, they would probably tell you they are excited. That’s one less guy they have to compete with,” Venables said following Thursday’s practice. “Thank goodness we have some numbers there and we have some quality players, and guys we know without question that we have won with and we are capable of winning with.”
Venables and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins admitted there is a heightened sense of urgency among the players with Reader not on the team. As Venables says, everyone moves up one spot and they are getting a little closer to the front of the line.
“We are working through that right now because we want everybody to feel like they have a chance to be a starter,” he said.
Though no one is going to be missing Reader more than Watkins, he feels there will not be much of a drop off at the position.
“We still have guys that can compete every day,” he said. “We have to have guys that can be ready to play if someone falls off.”
Watkins says Reader will definitely be back this season, but he isn’t sure exactly when that might be. With that, it means he is expected to step in and fill that void, especially considering he is the next most experienced player at the tackle positions.
“D.J. is a great leader, and I have learned a lot,” Watkins said. “With him and I being roommates, I feel like I need to step into his role and lead the defensive line, those young guys, so it is definitely filling in the gaps with the loss of him.”
With the Wofford game just nine days away the defensive line has turned their attention to the Terriers, who like Georgia Tech, run a triple-option style of offense that the 12th-ranked Tigers don’t see very often.
“That’s what we are working on, preparing each other or getting each other ready because Coach (Dabo) Swinney says it is our time,” Watkins said. “If one falls, there should be no drop off.”
Watkins says it will be a flip of a coin more than likely for defensive line coach Dan Brooks when has to make the decision of who will start in Reader’s place. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound tackle says Wilkins and Pagano are extremely close in their competition and either one of them deserves to start.
“Coach Brooks has to make that decision. I’m glad I don’t have to make it,” Watkins said.
With the defensive tackles having one less player, these first two games will be a good opportunity for Pagano, Wilkins and Robinson to get some quality playing time.
“I think it will be beneficial for the young guys, getting to play early, build some confidence and getting a feel for the game,” he said. “It is going to help in the long run.”
And it is going to make things more exciting on the defensive line, if it already hasn’t.