Grisham on rash of injuries at receiver 'it was frustrating for my guys'
Clemson wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Tyler Grisham took his turn with the media on Monday.
Grisham was asked about individual players, injuries, and offense this spring.
On what he's seen from senior Joseph Ngata, who has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career:
"He's hardly missed a rep. I mean he's healthy, and I think this is the most technically sound Ngata has been, which is exciting. I'm not having to correct nearly as much and so that's great for your senior, your leader, your boundary receiver. This is the best he's led. The most verbal he's been on the field and in the meeting room. He's like another coach and helps me out. So, he's been everything I've hoped for up to this point."
On what he's seen from sophomore Beaux Collins:
"Beaux Collins is a pro. I mean, you hear that all the time. Beaux is probably the most consistent guy we have overall, and he's probably had, I'd say, probably the most big plays up to this point. And just so consistent. I don't have to watch him in practice. I can focus on the other guys because I can expect him to know what to be able to do and perform at a high level. He's a good one."
On the challenge mentally for redshirt junior Brannon Spector returning from injuries after being out last season:
"I think it was challenging mentally. But I think if you ask him, it's probably one of the better things that's happened to him overall just for his psyche. I think he grew a lot. I see a more relaxed confident Spec than what was before the injury. And so I feel like he's in a good headspace for like, more confident and having more fun. So if you asked him, that year away probably made him a better player. It's made him a better person. He's told me that and so I'm excited for him.
"He's got great speed [and] people kind of forgot. We went through mat drills before we had spring practice, and I was like, man, that's what they're talking about. You know before he got hurt, he was flying around everywhere. He's got springs in his legs. He can run and change directions and get open in the short areas, which is what you want in the slot."
On new offensive concepts being implemented this spring:
"Typically, kind of heading into spring, you look at what you did in the fall and what you repped most. And you say, okay, we actually repped this more than another concept. Let's install that earlier.
"With Coach [Brandon] Streeter taking charge and Coach [Kyle] Richardson stepping in as passing game coordinator, we had to get to work. We had to see who do we want to be and Coach Streeter having to call the plays he believes in. Taking some concepts last year and tweaking them, alright, and feeling really good about that. Totally new concepts we've never run before where we are attacking areas of the field that we probably haven't attacked as often, I should say."
On the shortage of downfield plays and the effort to concentrate on that aspect of the offense in practices:
"There was a shortage of like every area last year, right? So, we know that, but, man, we have the guys, the opportunity, and you see that out here. We're taking advantage of them and making more of those plays, and I think they're hungry to kind of get back to doing that -- making those down the field plays, those big plays, scoring touchdowns, and having fun. And that's what a receiver loves to do, right?"
On the frustration of all the injuries at receiver:
"Yeah, it was frustrating for my guys. I mean just having to move guys around and maybe play them in some areas that maybe didn't suit them in their skill set as well. But listen, you have to play your best guys and they understand that. I want to see them perform well. I want to see them be successful and accomplish their dreams. So that was frustrating for them and for me. You can't help injuries. I've learned a ton from that whole situation."