Jeremiah Alexander: Clemson ‘callusing the mind’ through brutal August heat

CLEMSON — There isn't much escaping the heat during Clemson's fall camp.

Apparently, that's exactly the point.

Linebacker Jeremiah Alexander described one of Clemson's toughest practices of camp as another opportunity for the Tigers to "callus" their minds ahead of a season that begins at LSU.

"We're just callousing the mind," Alexander said. "When we're getting in them hot quarters and fourth quarter in Baton Rouge, wherever else we play, you know, we're ready to play."

Even a move to morning practices hasn't completely provided relief.

"We just switched to morning practice, so we're kind of getting the early part of that heat," Alexander said. "But it's been good and fun just to come out here and compete every day. As Coach Swinney said, just callus the mind."

That extends indoors, too.

Alexander said when weather forces Clemson inside, Swinney has kept the indoor facility from becoming too comfortable, allowing the Tigers to continue feeling the heat and humidity.

The physical challenge is being accompanied by competition, particularly in Alexander's linebacker room.

Alexander said the Tigers track "accountability points" in everything from meal checks to recovery, creating competition that extends beyond the practice field.

"It's just every day we're pushing each other to become the best versions of ourselves in the playbook, on the film, in the recovery room," Alexander said. "Who can be the best on and off the field?"

Alexander believes he's more equipped to answer that challenge in Year 2 at Clemson. After spending a full season in the program, he said he's more comfortable with the defense, his teammates, and assuming a leadership role.

That could be significant for a linebacker group that replaces Wade Woodaz but returns Sammy Brown and Kobe McCloud alongside Alexander. Brown led Clemson with 107 tackles last season, while Alexander recorded 33 tackles in 220 defensive snaps.

Asked about Brown, Alexander offered perhaps his strongest praise for the standout linebacker.

"Sammy Brown, man, he runs a 4.3. He's squatting 700 pounds, benching 400 pounds," Alexander said. "He's very smart, and I feel like that kind of really separates him."

For Clemson, however, August isn't only about who's fastest or strongest.

It's about who can handle the heat when September arrives.