Baylon Spector has high praise for young linebackers
As Clemson prepares to face off against Georgia in Charlotte, we had a chance to catch up with Baylon Spector to talk about the opening of fall camp and how the young linebackers were performing.
On his final fall camp: "We're excited as a team, considering it's my last camp. Super excited, just ready to go. Team was anxious, you could tell the juices were flowing, everyone was ready to get out here and compete. That's the main thing, just come out here, have fun, if you make a mistake, learn from it come back out tomorrow and get better."
On the depth at linebacker: "Those guys have been working ever since they came in and just put the work in. I'm still learning-- we're still learning from each other. They're coming along though Keith (Maguire), Vonta (Bentley), Kane (Patterson) all those guys have done a great job just putting the work in, trust the process. Just come out here every day and do the best that I can. They're coming along."
On being out there with James Skalski for one last run: "Very fun, exciting. It's great to play next to him. Just the energy that we both bring. The commitment that he brings. The focus that me and him both have out there. Very confident out there-- gives the other guys confidence-- it helps our defense. It was fun, though. I enjoy having them out there. Just getting out there playing with him. It's great."
On the advantages they have coming back: "I'm gonna say knowledge and the last year we came out and we got embarrassed. We were out physicaled last year. Just reinstating who we are and come out for this upcoming game. We're excited. We know they (Georgia) are a tough opponent. They are going to be great, they're going to be ready."
On if there is more importance placed on this game: "We focus the same each and every week, but yes, I mean, one of our goals is to win the opener. That's huge. Coach Swinney's been preaching it. Every year, one of our goals is to win the opener and we're gonna prepare the same, but we're excited for sure."
On how the defensive line helps the linebackers: "It's great. You've got Bryan Bresee and T.D. (Tyler Davis), you got so much depth and D-End, D-Tackle, dudes are rolling in and rolling out. It's great. Everyone's coming back, so ton of knowledge. Guys know what they're doing. Guys are communicating, and the things we see now will be easier for them. So it's confidence, knowledge, it runs altogether."
On if this group can be as good as Wilkins, Lawrence, Ferrell, and Bryant: "Those dudes are legendary. Kudos to them."
On being a Georgia native and facing the Bulldogs: “Being from Georgia, some of my buddies go to school there. Had a cousin that played there. Family has Georgia fans in it. So yeah. A ton of people there, man."
On if there has been in trash talk with his friends: "Here in there. It's exciting. I mean, jab here jab there. Just between me and my buddies-- nothing personally just having fun with it."
On his weigh-in results: "I was looking forward to having a full summer just to come back and have him like Coach Batson in the staff to be able to train and to be able to put good weight on--considering last year we were in COVID. Just not having the resources and food and everything. One of the things I wanted to hone in on and just focus on coming to this summer of just putting on good weight-- focusing on my body."
On Trenton Simpson at 235 pounds: "He's so talented. He can play anywhere. Just lucky to have him on our side of the ball. The kid is gonna be really good."
On freshman Barrett Carter: "Solid. Picked it up well. Savvy kid as you saw him have that one little snag today. Great play. Going out here-- having fun-- got a great head on him-- smart. If he messes up he's okay. Really smart just a talented player."
On Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: "Trotter has been a natural since he got here. Just watching him in the spring, as soon as he came in here it was very obvious that he's a natural linebacker. Great instincts, gets to the ball, finds the ball well. Now let's just continue to pick up some of the details small stuff."