Transfer climate not changing Clemson’s QB recruiting philosophy

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is well aware of how common it has become in the current college football landscape, with the NCAA transfer portal, for players – especially at the quarterback position – to choose to pack up and play for another program. Transfers are up in college football, not only at quarterback but […]

Cooper sets the record straight on any transfer rumors

NEW ORLEANS — In this exclusive interview with The Clemson Insider backup quarterback Zerrick Cooper talks about his season for the Clemson Tigers and sets the record straight on any rumors that he might consider a transfer once the season is complete.  

Cooper still ahead of Johnson in QB rotation

Before his team broke for a weekend off, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Zerrick Cooper is still in front of true freshman Hunter Johnson at the quarterback position. “It’s Kelly (Bryant) and, right now, Zerrick is two and Hunter is right there,” Swinney said. “Hunter just has to continue to get command of the […]

Clemson expects Bryant to be back, and healthy, for Georgia Tech

Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott expects quarterback Kelly Bryant to be healthy and be back in the lineup when the No. 8 Tigers take on Georgia Tech on Oct. 28 in Death Valley. Bryant missed Monday’s practice due to the concussion protocol procedure, but the coaches are hopeful he will be able to practice when […]

To get the offense back in gear, Clemson might need to change its plan at QB

A lot of you have asked me, “What will Clemson do with its quarterback situation, especially if Kelly Bryant isn’t 100-percent for the Georgia Tech game?” The answer is no one knows except Clemson. However, if I had to guess Zerrick Cooper would be the next guy up simply based on what the coaches—Dabo Swinney, […]

Cooper was Clemson’s second choice all along

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Kelly Bryant’s left ankle was 100 percent when he started Friday’s 27-24 loss at Syracuse. However, Bryant did not stay healthy for long. In fact, when trying to roll right on a second-and-one play from the Clemson 47 late in the first quarter, the junior could […]

Cooper: We were slow, sluggish

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Clemson Insider caught up with Clemson quarterback Zerrick Cooper after the Tigers’ 27-24 loss to Syracuse on Friday night at the Carrier Dome. Cooper said the offense “just didn’t have any juice.” Cooper said he was told during the week that he would get the shot if starting quarterback Kelly Bryant […]

Key to keeping QBs happy … patience

When Deshaun Watson got hurt during the 2014 season, Clemson had just one other scholarship quarterback on the roster. That guy was Cole Stoudt, who quarterbacked the Tigers for seven games that year. Chad Kelly, who finished his career at Ole Miss, was dismissed from the team following spring practice. Nick Schuessler, a former walk-on, […]

Scott says approach still the same regardless of who the QB is

When it comes to quarterback Kelly Bryant’s injured ankle and his availability for Friday’s game at Syracuse, Jeff Scott deferred all of those questions to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. However, Clemson’s co-offensive coordinator did speak to the confidence level he has in backups Hunter Johnson and Zerrick Cooper and how the approach the second-ranked […]

Clemson got a glimpse of its future, it looked good

Though it was a small sample size, Clemson’s final touchdown drive in Saturday’s 28-14 win over Wake Forest gave Clemson fans a small glimpse into what the future might be like in the years to come. With the ball resting at the Demon Deacons’ 37-yard line, freshman quarterback Hunter Johnson dropped back and threw a […]