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Will Shipley ran for two touchdowns and No. 6 Clemson had a goal-line stand in the final seconds in wild 14-8 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday night. The Yellow Jackets (1-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) had a chance to force overtime after recovering an onside kick with 1:19 to play. But they were held out of the end zone on four plays from the Clemson 2 in the closing seconds - the last when linebacker James Skalski tackled Dylan Deveney a yard short. The chaos continued, though, when Shipley fumbled in the end zone with Clemson (2-1, 1-0) attempting to run out the clock and was tackled after recovering for a safety with seven seconds left.

The Tigers kicked the ball away and Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates' last ditch throw with 3 seconds left was ruled an incomplete forward pass, ending the game. The game was delayed nearly two hours just before the half because of the threat of lightning around Memorial Stadium. Clemson was favored by nearly four touchdowns and had beaten the Yellow Jackets 73-7 a season ago. This time, though, Clemson and quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei couldn't get the offense going for the second time in three games. Clemson was held to 180 yards in a 10-3 loss to No. 2 Georgia two weeks ago. Georgia Tech limited Clemson to 207 yards the first three quarters and it continually came up with third-down stops. - Clemson/AP College Football

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Clemson/AP College Football
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09/13/21 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

SEPT 13 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Will Shipley, Clemson, Fr., RB, Weddington, N.C.,...Rushed eight times for a team-high 80 yards with two rushing touchdowns in Saturday's win over South Carolina State ... Became the first Clemson true freshman to rush for two touchdowns in a game since Lyn-J Dixon in 2018 ... Fifth true freshman under Dabo Swinney to average 10.0 yards per carry in a game on at least five carries, joining Dixon, Travis Etienne, Kelly Bryant and Sammy Watkins ... Recorded 127 all-purpose yards. - Atlantic Coast Conference Football

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Atlantic Coast Conference Football
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09/11/21 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

Will Shipley's not too young to see how much No. 6 Clemson needed a strong offensive showing. The five-star freshman tailback had 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns as the Tigers cranked up their offense with a 49-3 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. The dominant performance followed a dreadful one in a 10-3 loss to No. 2 Georgia last week, a game in which Clemson was held without a touchdown for the first time since the 2017 season. "It was very important for us to come out firing on all cylinders," the 19-year-old Shipley said. "This definitely gave us confidence, and we're definitely stepping in the right direction." Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei ran for two scores and threw for a third and Clemson gained 504 yards after managing just 180 - and only 2 rushing - against the SEC's Bulldogs. "I just wanted to come out and prove myself, play a great game," Uiagalelei said. "I'm ready to get better and better." Uiagalelei and the Tigers (1-1) had touchdowns on all four of their first-quarter possessions and pulled away for their 36th straight win over teams from the Football Championship Subdivision.

Uiagalelei began the rout with a 4-yard scoring burst. Shipley and Kobe Pace added scoring runs before Uiagalelei closed the surge with an 11-yard pass to receiver Justyn Ross. It was Ross' first touchdown catch since 2019, after he missed last season due to spinal surgery. Clemson coordinator Tony Elliott said Uiagalelei still has work to do to improve his rhythm with his pass-catchers. "As the quarterback continues to do that, the game will slow down," Elliott said. South Carolina State (0-2) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference had little chance of slowing the Tigers. Clemson continued its dominant history for the Tigers over their instate rival, improving to 5-0 alltime by a combined score of 287-23. - Clemson/AP College Football

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Clemson/AP College Football
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09/09/21 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

As Will Shipley whipped out of the backfield and turned his wheel route up the sideline, everyone across the country saw the green grass in front of him. It was just the second play of Clemson's mega-opener with Georgia, and the five-star freshman was primed for a highlight-reel play. Of course, Shipley knew he was open, too. "Yeah, I did," Shipley said, smiling, "but D.J. made the right read." The right read for quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was tight end Davis Allen, coming open across the middle. The pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage, though, and that second-down play went down as one of many missed opportunities in a disappointing loss. On the night, Shipley had just four carries for 7 yards.

The native of Weddington, N.C., also had one catch for 11 yards later in the proceedings, but it was far from the electric debut many Clemson fans hoped for. But now it's time for Shipley's maturity, something coaches raved about all preseason, to come into play. As the No. 6 Tigers (0-1) prepare for South Carolina State, Shipley isn't necessarily thinking about the play everyone else saw. He's focused on the time he didn't press toward the hole with one more step, pulling a linebacker out of his gap. He's logging false steps in pass protection, wanting to meet blitzers closer to the line of scrimmage. "The opportunities were there. I gotta make a guy miss. I gotta make something out of nothing," Shipley said. "I'm not even saying there was nothing there. I gotta make a play. Whether it's one carry or 10 carries, I put that on myself. Going back, I just look at the details, the little things. They all add up. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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09/06/21 - James Skalski, rSr/2022, Clemson, 6-0, 228 (DS#20 ILB) + More +

SEPT 6 ACC SEPT 6 ACC LINEBACKER OF THE WEEK: James Skalski, Clemson, Sr., LB, Sharpsburg, Ga.,...Recorded a game-high 14 tackles in the No. 3 Tigers 10-7 loss to No. 5 Georgia ... Led a Clemson defense that limited the Bulldogs to 256 total yards and three points (seven Georgia points came on a Tiger turnover) ... It marked the eighth time in history that Clemson has held an AP Top 5 opponent to 10 or fewer points. - ACC Football

(DS#20 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB James Skalski, Clemson
News Source: ACC Football
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08/23/21 - Hunter Johnson, rSr/2023, Clemson, 6-3, 199 (DS#29 QB) + More +

Former Clemson quarterback Hunter Johnson is the new starter at Northwestern. The fifth-year senior won the position during fall camp over a QB group that included housemate Ryan Hilinski, who transferred in from the University of South Carolina in December. The Wildcats confirmed the news on their Twitter page. "I've seen a lot of football, which is good, so that's, I think that's always been an advantage for me that I've been through a lot of football system and terminology," Johnson told reporters Aug. 9. "Year Two with (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian) is great...I'm definitely feeling more confident coming around this year." Johnson left Clemson during the summer of 2018 following a freshman season where he threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns behind Kelly Bryant, who transferred a few games into 2018 after Trevor Lawrence took over the starting job.

Johnson, a former five-star recruit, sat out his sophomore season at Northwestern due to transfer rules. He appeared in six games with five starts during his junior campaign for the Wildcats. During that time, he recorded 432 yards and a score while rushing for 64 yards and a TD. "I think today versus when I first got here, I think I've matured a lot," Johnson said. "Gone through a lot and learned, learned a lot from personal experiences, football experiences and I think I'm mentally a lot stronger than I was as a sophomore coming in here...I think I've just had some experiences that have helped me grow a little bit." - The State

(DS#29 QB) rSr/2023

QB Hunter Johnson, Clemson
News Source: The State
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08/22/21 - Hunter Johnson, rSr/2023, Clemson, 6-3, 199 (DS#29 QB) + More +

After Northwestern's 2019 season, Mike Bajakian got to work. Bajakian, who was named the Wildcats' new offensive coordinator in December, proceeded to watch every play of NU's 3-9 campaign. Featuring prominently in the footage was Hunter Johnson. On film, the former five-star recruit's struggles were well documented. They ranged from committing three turnovers - including a game-clinching fumble - in the season opener at Stanford to being benched in a three-touchdown loss to Michigan State after throwing for just 88 yards.

Johnson also suffered a knee injury against Wisconsin, which was re-aggravated in a game versus Indiana. A sack by Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. left him sidelined for the remainder of the season. But things have changed since 2019, when the Clemson transfer threw for 432 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions with a 46.3 completion percentage. Bajakian noticed Johnson's improvement this year, from the start of spring camp to the summer. He threw with consistency and competency. He made better on-field decisions. He forced fewer throws into coverage. He found a rhythm with NU's receivers and tight ends during offseason practice. - The Daily Northwestern

(DS#29 QB) rSr/2023

QB Hunter Johnson, Clemson
News Source: The Daily Northwestern
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08/21/21 - *Andrew Booth Jr., Jr/2022, Clemson, 6-0, 194 (DS#4 CB) + More +

Andrew Booth's problem last year wasn't anything on the field. The problem for Clemson's junior cornerback was staying on the field. One of the injuries he sustained was a thigh bruise in December that rendered him almost immobile. The year before, as a freshman, Booth had to have surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon. One can't predict when an injury will or won't happen, but the Georgia native is taking every precaution necessary to ensure he plays a full season. He's more mindful of what he puts in his body and has even taken up yoga. It's become a popular activity among athletes, which includes Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James and the entire Seattle Seahawks team. Booth practices yoga twice a week outside by himself. He lays out a mat, pulls up a yoga video on YouTube and completes the exercises, though he admits he doesn't know the names of poses just yet. "Hot yoga typically opens up your muscles, the heat," he said. "It opens up your muscles and makes you more, I don't know, it feels good. You should try it." Booth was, more or less, on point with his assessment. According to a medically reviewed article by Insider, yoga improves flexibility, strengthens muscles, reduces stress and aids in weight loss.

Brigham Health Hub also included mental focus as a positive point for doing yoga. "Many yoga poses are most successful when breathing matches movement," the article stated. Booth believes 90% of playing football is mental and 10% is physical. Although he didn't mention the breathing side of yoga, he did say he's found taking deep breaths helps him in moments where he needs a mental shift on the field. "Just think about like, Lord, give me peace," he said. "Just give me peace. (Takes breath). And then just line up." - The State

(DS#4 CB) Jr/2022

CB *Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
News Source: The State
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08/21/21 - Justyn Ross, rSr/2022, Clemson, 6-4, 210 (DS#35 WR) + More +

After Clemson wrapped its second and final scrimmage Thursday, coach Dabo Swinney could happily report his team had made it through the grindstone. Sixteen straight practices, including a pair of 11-on-11 fracases, and the Tigers were just about healthy heading into game prep for the opener with Georgia. That's one big sigh of relief. But the biggest exhale of all was reserved for one player. Clemson receiver Justyn Ross, working his way back from a neck and spine issue that wiped away his 2020 season - and nearly his football career - found himself in the tense but inevitable situation that everyone had been waiting for.

Ross caught three passes. Three times, he found himself at the mercy of a tackler. All three times, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior came out OK. "Popped right back up," Swinney said. "And he took a couple of good hits. He just popped right back up and just went on to the next play. "It really couldn't have worked out any better, as far as what I needed and what he needed. He's been ready to go since last spring, in his mind, as far as ready to go play. But it's been a long process. And today was finally the day." It's been quite a wait. It was back in the spring of 2020 when a congenital fusion was discovered in his neck, along with a bulging disc that needed repair. Coming into fall camp - more than a year removed from surgery - Ross was cleared to play. But he missed the first week of camp to COVID-19 protocol. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#35 WR) rSr/2022

WR Justyn Ross, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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08/20/21 - Will Taylor, Jr/2025, Clemson, 5-10, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been impressed with what he's seen from Dutch Fork High School graduate and current freshman quarterback Will Taylor. "I called him Doug Flutie the other day," Swinney said. "I would imagine that's what Doug Flutie looked like. He don't know who Doug Flutie is, but I would imagine that's what Doug Flutie looked like. Just electric, makes all these throws, all these crazy arm angles. You're like, 'How in the world could he even see that guy?' He sees them all." The Tigers' mentor assured that Taylor, who he called special, will see time under center at some point as well as returning punts before switching to wide receiver next year. Even then, it's likely that Taylor will be somewhat of a Swiss army knife for Clemson's offense. - The State

(DS#999 WR) Jr/2025

WR Will Taylor, Clemson
News Source: The State
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08/19/21 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

By the time Will Shipley sprinted 20 yards downfield with the handoff, he could have let up. He could have given way to his teammate, safety Jalyn Phillips, who was hovering beyond the 21st yard. Make a juke. Turn right. Or left. Or just stop. No, if the freshman running back from Weddington, N.C., has left an impression with Clemson players and coaches this fall camp, it's that he doesn't stop. Shipley went for that 21st yard, with full force, his shoulders dealing Phillips a glancing blow. It was a casual collision, both parties remaining on their feet. But it was very Shipley. Once they reoriented, Shipley turned around for a sprint back to the huddle, and Phillips saw him off with a firm slap on the backside.

The Tigers have become accustomed to this. In the offseason, when they were running hills, it was usually Shipley charging to the front of the pack, up there with cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. and receiver Frank Ladson. On the practice field, he's still zooming in one direction or another. "He's not like a typical freshman," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "He's just - wushhhh - locked in all the time. Everything. He's going to win every sprint. He's not a guy who is going to be respectful to everybody and say 'Maybe I shouldn't win this sprint.' He doesn't worry about anyone else. "He's going to win every sprint, and if you can't run with him, too bad. That's just his mindset. He's not a guy who is going to wait until his senior year to be a leader. He showed up here as a leader." - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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08/18/21 - *Bryan Bresee, rSo/2023, Clemson, 6-6, 302 (DS#2 DT) + More +

Bryan Bresee has heard the comparisons between Clemson's defensive line from 2018, nicknamed the Power Rangers, and this year's D-line. The Tigers' sophomore has respect for that past group, but he wants the current Clemson linemen to make their own name. They're well on their way to accomplishing the goal with all eyes on the position heading into the fall. "What they did for this program and the D-line, it was awesome and super cool watching them," Bresee said. "People on this team who got to play with them have kind of carried on the tradition with just being good leaders and things like that. Just kind of passed things down to all of us and we just try to keep it up."

A big part of keeping up the tradition is learning, not necessarily copying, from the past. It's not always watching the big plays that serves as a teaching lesson, either. Sometimes seeing how mistakes played out can be just as important. "Film never dies and it never lies," Clemson defensive tackles coach Todd Bates said. "You get to also see their lowlights and see that they struggled some like you did, but you see also that they just brought it every play. Through the good and bad, the highlights and the lowlights, that effort has to be always here. It has to be consistent, so that's really what we're trying to get instilled in our guys." Bresee was as steady as one could ask of a freshman in 2020. He recorded 33 tackles, 6.5 for loss, to go along with four quarterback sacks. - The State

(DS#2 DT) rSo/2023

DT *Bryan Bresee, Clemson
News Source: The State
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08/18/21 - *Myles Murphy, Jr/2023, Clemson, 6-5, 268 (DS#4 DE) + More +

No other freshman Tiger had more tackles last year than Myles Murphy. The former five-star recruit totaled 51 tackles, 12 for loss, four quarterback sacks and a pass breakup in 12 games played with six starts, earning freshman All-American honors. He's one of only four Tigers players to garner the accolade in the past six years while also being named the Associated Press' ACC Co-Newcomer of the Year. Now as a sophomore, he'll have a chance to earn a full-time starting position, but it won't be easy with other linemen like Thomas, redshirt juniors KJ Henry and Justin Mascoll, as well as senior Justin Foster also in the running. He's had a good fall camp so far and must continue to take those positive strides in the right direction to back up a stellar freshman campaign. - The State

(DS#4 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Myles Murphy, Clemson
News Source: The State
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08/17/21 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound five star from Waddington, North Carolina, might already be the fastest guy on a team loaded with fast guys. He could eventually assume a role similar to that of Travis Etienne, the ACC player of the year in 2018 and 2019. Shipley has to climb because the Tigers have depth, but could move up quickly. - AP College Football

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: AP College Football
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08/14/21 - Nolan Turner, rSr/2022, Clemson, 6-1, 202 (DS#11 FS) + More +

As Clemson safety Nolan Turner joined reporters for a post-practice interview, it was only a matter of time before a joke was flung his way. It seems like he's been on the team for 10 years, a reporter quipped. "Something like that," the 23-year-old Alabama native said with a smirk. "It feels like it." Turner's football career at Clemson has become something like a remake of Groundhog Day. It started in 2016 as a true freshman and was supposed to end in 2020 as a fifth-year senior. And he played the '20 campaign like it was his last. He played to an All-American level, in fact, only to have the NCAA grant seniors another year due to the pandemic.

So there Turner stood at the start of fall practice last week, back in his Clemson uniform, joking with reporters about the never-ending quality of his college career. Before the season is over, on Nov. 29, Turner will turn 24. Needless to say, nothing is new to him. "My mindset is I'm locked in, it's just another year," Turner said. "I was telling some guys earlier today, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." That locked-in mindset is what Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expects of "super seniors" like Turner, fifth- and sixth-year athletes who now populate his roster. While there are youngsters at important positions, like D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback, this may be Swinney's most experienced team. There are 23 seniors on the roster, including 16 who are already graduate students. Turner, linebacker James Skalski, and punter Will Spiers all started their careers in 2016, meaning they have seen Clemson appear in three national title games, winning two of them. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#11 FS) rSr/2022

FS Nolan Turner, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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