Eason's 'Speed Dating' Pays Off as Clemson Rebuilds Defensive Tackle Depth
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After losing three defensive tackles from last season's rotation, Clemson turned to the transfer portal, where defensive tackles coach Nick Eason believes the Tigers found the experience and character needed to rebuild the position.
The Tigers added four veteran defensive tackles in the offseason, Markus Strong (Oklahoma), Kourtney Kelly (West Georgia), Andy Burburija (Iowa Western CC), and Devarrick Woods (Texas State), to help offset the departures of Peter Woods, Demonte Capehart, and Stephiylan Green.
Strong (6-foot-3, 295 pounds) enrolled in January and impressed throughout spring practice, while Kelly also arrived in January before suffering a torn ACL that kept him out of the Orange and White Spring Game. Burburija and Woods arrived this summer, with Woods becoming a late addition after Kelly's injury created an immediate need for more depth.
Despite only having a short window to evaluate portal prospects, Eason said Clemson identified players who fit both the program's culture and its immediate needs.
"They fit what we're looking for. [I] was looking for some guys that have some experience, some playing experience," Eason said Tuesday during Clemson football media day at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex. "They are humble guys who are really grateful and appreciate having the opportunity to be here, and they've been working their tails off. And man, really excited to watch those guys go put it on tape."
'Speed dating'
Eason joked that recruiting through the transfer portal resembles "speed dating," but he emphasized there is an extensive evaluation process packed into an incredibly short timeframe.
Unlike traditional high school recruiting, where coaches may spend years building relationships, portal recruiting often gives Clemson only about 48 hours to investigate a player's background. Eason said that means leaning heavily on trusted relationships with high school and college coaches while spending countless hours gathering information to ensure every addition is the right fit for the program.
The compressed timeline can mean marathon workdays stretching from before sunrise until the early hours of the next morning as Clemson's staff conducts its due diligence before extending an offer.
That process helped convince Eason the Tigers had found the right additions.
Kelly progressing after injury
Kelly's ACL injury in March initially raised concerns that he could miss the entire season, but his recovery has exceeded expectations.
"He is trending in a great direction," head coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday. "Anticipate getting him back at some point. Probably not a guy that will be full go in camp, but he is heading into a good spot. He has a better-than-great chance to be back at some point."
Kelly's injury also influenced Clemson's decision to pursue Woods, who committed in May to bolster the defensive tackle rotation.
Early impressions
Although Woods and Burburija have only been on campus for a short time, Eason already likes what he's seen from the pair, describing both as quiet workers who let their play do the talking.
Woods (6-3, 290): "Just twitchy, hard worker. He's just hard-nosed, gritty, and he's gonna show up, and he's gonna play really, extremely hard."
Burburija (6-2, 305): "He is extremely strong and heavy-handed. I do know that. Just really tough. He just works hard. He don't say much, but when you're doing drills, you feel his presence. He might shock a lot of you guys, but he won't shock me."
Building a deeper rotation
With Strong already demonstrating his value during spring practice and Kelly working his way back from injury, Clemson expects all four portal additions to strengthen a defensive tackle room that entered the offseason with significant questions.
Eason believes Kelly, Woods, and Burburija will all contribute meaningful snaps once they're fully integrated into the rotation.
"They're all going to play a huge role," Eason said. "I think all three of them [are] going to provide us with quality playing time and some depth."
