August Camp: Special Teams

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We got to hear from special teams coordinator Danny Pearman after Clemson’s Monday practice. Here were a few of the more interesting notes from the session to get your Tuesday started right.

-- When you think of good punt returners that have existed in college football’s history, you think of some of the most electrifying playmakers. Someone who can single-handedly change a game in a glimpse when the ball is in their hands.

Naturally, you may think that is the first and most important criteria in determining who the man that runs out there to field punts is. 

If he’s a human highlight reel, give him a chance to make a play.

But it’s not as simple as it may sound. Otherwise, Travis Etienne or Lyn-J Dixon would be the player Clemson who gets to do the honors. There’s so much more to what makes punt returning one of the most challenging jobs a player can have.

First, it’s about finding out who you can trust. Who is the sure-handed player who will never drop a punt? Sure, a punt-return touchdown can change the complex of any game in an instant. But so can a muffed punt.

That’s why Amari Rogers and Hunter Renfrow were the two players who were assigned to punt return duties in 2018. When a win or loss could result in who can catch the ball and who can handle a pressure most, of course, you go with the most reliable hands on the team.

Even if they aren’t the most electric.

Pearman explained that there is so much more to the role than catching a punt in practice.

“Everybody thinks they can catch it, and then poof, you get out there in front of 80,000,” Pearman said Monday. “It’s kind of like everybody thinks they can putt it. It’s a big difference between playing Top Golf and playing actual golf. 

“Number one, first and foremost, we want to possess the ball. If somebody’s going to punt it or kick it off to us, we want the ball. You’ve first got to have confidence that you’re going to be able to catch the ball and make good decisions. When do I fair catch it? We’re going to come away at worse with this ball. And then who gives us the best chance to protect the ball when running. That’s what we’re always looking to try to do, make something electric happen. We’ve got a lot of guys that can run around fast. We’ve got to come away with the ball, we’ve got to protect the ball and then we’ve got to be able to run and score if we set blocks.”

With the electric current that exists on Clemson’s offense, a fair catch may be all Pearman would ask from whoever takes the job. A fair catch and putting the ball in Lawrence’s hands is a much safer play, and odds are it’ll be more rewarding.

This season, especially toward the beginning while Rogers is out with an injury, the safest play may be the best play on punt returns.

-- With Rogers and Derion Kendrick sidelined with injuries, plenty of players have had the opportunity to audition for punt returner.

And some of the players who have stepped right into the spotlight are freshman. Pearman said Will Swinney and Will Brown have done a good job of possessing the ball, which we noted above is the essential quality.

Two freshmen who have the potential to be in the “highlight reel” category for punt returns: Mikey Dukes and Andrew Booth Jr. They also want to take a look at Brannon Spector, the newest No. 13 on the roster. All three of those players possess the shiftiness to take the ball back to the house, but can they earn the coaches’ trust?

K’Von Wallace was another name mentioned, and we saw what he could do with the ball in his hands with his three career interceptions that have been returned for a total of 114 yards. 

As of week one, we expect Kendrick to be the man to replace Rogers if Kendrick is healthy enough. But it sure seems nice to have options if you are Pearman.

-- Pearman said kickoff return is the same animal.

When we asked Swinney for his take on kick returners, the first name out of his mouth was freshman Joseph Ngata. The true freshman wide receiver who has gotten a ton of high reviews this August may not have to wait long before the ball is in his hands. 

The hype just continues to build for this kid.

Other names mentioned on Monday were Travis Etienne, Kendrick, Booth, Wallace, and Cornell Powell.

-- There’s no decision yet on who the starting punter will be. Pearman said the competition has been a good combination of Will Spiers, Steven Sawicki, and Aidan Swanson and there is a good chance multiple snappers, punters, and holders will play in a single game.

“All of those guys are interchangeable and have been working really hard at it,” Pearman said.

-- Pearman said Will Spiers has just been OK this August.

“Aidan’s pushed, Steven Sawicki’s pushed. That’s a three-way competition there. Some days (Spiers) has come out the victor, some days he has been beaten out. It’s a good, healthy competition there.”

Said Swanson’s most significant improvement he needs to make is with his confidence and that he ust needs to get some experience.

-- As of today, B.T. Potter is ahead in the place-kicking competition. We expect him to have that position locked down heading into the season opener.

We’ll have more for you after our final availability of August camp this afternoon.