Marion Hobby cracked a wry smile as he told TheClemsonInsider about redshirt freshman defensive end Clelin Ferrell.

Clemson’s defensive ends coach has to replace last season’s dynamic duo of Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, so the opportunity for Ferrell is there for the taking.

“Clelin’s got to make that big move,” Hobby said. “It’s a situation where — I always tell them playing time is on them, it’s not on me. Don’t put the pressure on the coach — the pressure is on you. We want to play the best player.

“From day one, that will be a name that you’ll hear in the future.”

Hobby shared those thoughts on Ferrell just days before Clemson’s impressive showing in the Orange Bowl.

Shaq Lawson had already made his intentions known that he was going pro. Dodd’s decision — at the time — was still up in the air, but his performances in the College Football Playoff games certainly helped make the decision easier.

Ferrell, a former four-star recruit out of Richmond, Va., is one of several inexperienced defensive ends that Hobby’s going to be working with during spring practice.

“It was even a tough decision to redshirt him (in 2015), but I think it’s going to work out better for him and work out better for us,” Hobby said. “He’s taking it serious. He’s a guy that’s in the weight room. He’s always in meetings. He’s a guy that wants to be a good football player.

“He’s picked up some good, solid weight and strength. You see him now and he’s a little bit more explosive, just from sitting out this year. He’s got a great attitude, does well in school. Very pleased with him and his progress.”

Hobby added, “I think it’s going to be a great situation for him. I think he’s looking forward to it. I think he’s kind of glad he redshirted this year — got him bigger and stronger.”

Chris Register, who converted from linebacker in 2015, will also be in the mix for playing time.

“Register, he’s just got to get used to playing the position,” Hobby said. “Clelin is a little ahead of him, because he’s played that position before. Register being a MIKE linebacker his whole career in high school and really just making the move in the fall to defensive end, so he’s got to learn the position.”

There are plenty of tools at Hobby’s disposal.

“His length, his natural quickness — he’s a naturally strong guy. He’s a tackler. I think, in time, he’ll be fine,” Hobby said.

And, of course, there’s Austin Bryant.

“Excited about him as well,” Hobby said. “Richard Yeargin is a guy who’s played some for us. We’re excited about the future of those young guys as well.”

Freshman LaSamuel Davis will participate in spring practice now that he’s enrolled at Clemson. Four-star Xavier Kelly will get the campus later this summer.

The future of the position is bright at Clemson. It’s just a greenish tint to it right now.