Cade Denhoff on First Start and Why He Chose to Remain at Clemson

Defensive end Cade Denhoff made his first career start for Clemson against N.C. State on Saturday with sophomore Peter Woods still out with an injury. The redshirt junior (graduate) from Plant City, FL participated in 26 snaps and forced a first quarter fumble that led to a Antonio Williams 2-yard touchdown reception. 

Denhoff, who entered the season with 16 tackles (one for loss) and 190 defensive snaps, spoke to the media on Tuesday. 

On getting his first career start and most significant snaps of his career on Saturday: 

"It was a lot of fun, a long time in the process to get to that point. Just a lot of development. But it was a blessing to be able to go out there, run out there, first with the Tigers. Man, the defense that we have is just a blast to be able to play with them."

On playing for new defensive end coach Chris Rumph, who returned to Clemson after previously coaching defensive ends from 2006-2010 : 

"He is an exceptional coach. We love what he's done with our position group, just really the learning aspect of it. He's just taught us so much about the position and how to play it correctly. Just breaking down the fundamentals of it, which helps us play so much faster. So, he's very fundamentally sound, wants us to be technically sound, which is great. That's how I am as a player. That's how I approach my game. So, it's been a lot of fun just working with him. It's helped us a ton."

On if he thought about a "scoop and score" on the fumble recovery: 

"Looking back at the film, I should have. But it was kind of hard to tell who was around me. I didn't know if NC State guys were behind me, offensive lineman, running backs, whatever. So, I should have scooped and scored but initially, I was like, I just need to fall on it."

On being called 'Steady Eddie' by head coach Dabo Swinney:

"I try to be consistent. I'm sure that's what they mean when they say steady. But I just try to be consistent in everything that I do, whether that's my practice habits, my workout habits, nutrition. I have a really good routine that I stick to during the season and in the off season."

On remaining at Clemson despite not playing a ton since arriving on campus in 2021:

"First of all, this is where I wanted to come, and I felt like this is home for me. I wanted to be committed to the place that I decided to further my education and my athletic career. I had hope that there were good things to come in the future.

"I've never really been a transfer guy. I've never really looked at the transfer portal as something I really wanted to pursue. My feet were settled here. I just figured I've seen plenty of guys in the past that Coach Swinney has talked about -- guys that I've played with that have stuck it out, third, fourth, fifth year, sixth year, sometimes, and get opportunities to play. I saw that, so I was like, I know it can happen."

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