With Clemson's spring game right around the corner Jeff Scott knows that it's time for the Tigers to begin to "finish the right way," but he knows his guys are being tested by Brent Venables and all the looks they get with every snap.
Clemson's offense is challenged every day during camp, and although Venables has been quite hard on his defense at times, Scott told us that the key for his offense is simply finishing.
"We're just getting a lot of good work. Good on good versus the defense, it's a battle every day. That's good to see," Scott said following Friday's scrimmage. " I was pleased with the effort today by our guys. I wanna see us finish the right way next week."
Perhaps the best news of all for Clemson's staff is that the spring game is sure to be a heavily attended event, giving the perception of a real game day environment.
"Obviously, scrimmages are better than a practice as far as getting guys off the field but now, you add all the fans in, in kind of a game atmosphere really the closest thing without playing a game in the fall and kind of that next level for our guys," Scott noted.
Dabo Swinney has long been a proponent of scrimmages against other teams, but until that becomes a reality, creating an atmosphere similar to what you see in the fall is a huge benefit that many teams will not enjoy this spring.
"We're gonna have national TV there, and we'll have a great crowd," Scott said. "It'll be great to see how those guys respond in really one of the last dress rehearsals before we kick it off next fall."
There is certainly a high level of interest in the quarterback battle, and even if you think it is Kelly Bryant's job to lose, you have to be intrigued to lay eyes on Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence alone would draw big numbers to the spring game, but Clemson being tabbed as one of the top three or four teams in America again has the buzz around the program at a fevered pitch.
Scott is also hoping that the spring game will give the coaches a better gauge on how players will play "under the lights" not to mention being able to cross-train players are numerous positions.
"We've got a lot of guys that are being put into new positions, especially some of these young guys, true freshman that just got here and some of the guys that will be sophomores next year, this will be a good opportunity to see them."
Allowing those guys to work at different spots not only helps them learn new positions, work on different techniques and skills, but it also strengthens the depth at each position.
One of those guys who's been around the block and hopes for a break out season is fifth-year senior Trevion Thompson.
Thompson is beginning to show the consistency that he has lacked throughout his career.
Scott told us that Thompson has "probably the best catch of spring 2018" and that he recently made another "big-time, diving catch with the DB right there and finished the catch."
Thompson is also one of those guys Clemson is looking to step up at multiple spots.
"He knows what he wants to do," Scott said. "He knows he can help us and he's proving every day in practice to the coaches and his teammates that he's ready to have a bigger role this year."
Position battles will be on display this Saturday and players like Thompson will have their last opportunity to shine in front of a crowd before Clemson squares off with Furman on September 1st.
Saturday, we find out who can finish with eyes focused on their every move.
