McDaniel switches to strong side linebacker
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden disclosed Friday what might have been defensive coordinator Vic Koenning's best-kept secret this spring: freshman DeAndre McDaniel has worked extensively at strong side linebacker.
McDaniel, junior Michael Hamlin's understudy at cat safety, has been sharing time with incumbent Scotty Cooper at the spot.
Koenning downplayed the change as a matter of semantics.
Against opponents with multiple-receiver formations, Clemson frequently used its nickel package, in which McDaniel replaced a linebacker to give the Tigers an extra defender with pass coverage skills.
Koenning claimed the difference this spring is that McDaniel is substituting for the strong side linebacker instead of the middle linebacker.
'Tommy hasn't been in a defensive meeting,' Koenning said. 'We're just practicing nickel a little bit, so technically that's all that is.'
Koenning said McDaniel and Sadat Chambers remain the second-string safeties. Converted walk-on receiver Kantrell Brown also is receiving repetitions.
Regardless of how the change is classified, it has allowed Clemson to move sophomore Jeremy Campbell from strong side to weak side, giving the Tigers five viable options at its short-handed interior spots.
'(McDaniel's) a contact player, and (strong side) is more of a contact position than safety is,' Bowden said. 'What we're trying to do is get our best guys on the field, or it might allow us to do something else.'
Koenning contended the nickel package work was not a reflection on Clemson's inexperience at linebacker, saying the group has been more productive this spring than at any time he could remember.
Extra points. Clemson will hold today the second of its three scrimmages leading to the April 12 spring game. The scrimmage is closed to the public. ... Bowden said Spiller has substantially improved his pass protection. 'He's going to make some money if he keeps doing what he's doing,' Bowden said. ... Mason Cloy, a freshman lineman from Spring Valley, is working at guard and center. Cloy had been limited to center early in camp.
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