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If we needed any more examples about how shaky the prospects are for the 2020 college football season, they were delivered in the last couple of days. There was Mark Emmert, the grand exalted poobah of the NCAA, saying this on Friday - "All of the commissioners and every president that I've talked to is in clear agreement: If you don't have students on campus, you don't have student-athletes on campus." This, a day after Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said this - "I suspect there may be some institutions that are 100% online, and if they are and if that's also what the student-athletes are doing, I think that meets the criteria." Gentlemen, prepare for a wild ride this summer. We will have a college football season because we have no choice.

The college athletics financial model is so fragile that college football must be played in some shape or form so that enough money can be generated to fund the other sports. "Whatever form it takes," said Tony Barnhart, Mr. College Football, "it takes." Exactly. One of the biggest problems college sports has is the lack of one voice with ultimate authority. As a result, there is no clear definition of how we are going to attack what will be a strange season. "I've been saying for years there needs to be a commissioner of college football," said Fox Sports' Tim Brando. "You look at how the NFL is handling this and how college football is handling this and it's painfully obvious that there is leadership on one side and not the other." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/09/20 - Travis Etienne, Sr/2021, Clemson, 5-10, 215 (DS#2 RB) + More +

Coach Dabo Swinney on Wednesday night pushed back against critics who question the role Christianity plays in the Clemson football program. In April 2014 the Freedom from Religion group filed a complaint to Clemson, claiming Swinney and his staff had engaged in "unconstitutional behavior" for not creating a clear separation between church and state at the public university. "I always tell everybody, my job is not to save 'em. My job is to win football games," Swinney said during an FCA video call Wednesday. "I've come under fire many times from different organizations and things like that because of my faith. They want me to just shut that off and not be a Christian. "But God says in Ecclesiastes 3:23, whatever you do, you do it with all your heart as if you're working for the Lord."

On Wednesday, Swinney pushed back on "myths" about him, including that he requires players to attend church on a mandatory basis. But he did say he feels responsible to serve the "hearts and souls" of his players. "If I get a young man that comes to Clemson and he's strong in his faith, and he leaves Clemson and I didn't help him grow stronger, shame on me," he said. "If I get a young man that comes to Clemson, and he doesn't know anything, or he's searching, and I don't cultivate that...Shame on me. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#2 RB) Sr/2021

RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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05/08/20 - *Trevor Lawrence, Jr/2021, Clemson, 6-6, 213 (DS#1 QB) + More +

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) on Thursday sent the strongest signal yet concerning Congressional interest in legislation relating to college athletes' ability to make money from the use of their name, image on likeness. Wicker sent a letter to the NCAA, each of the Power Five conferences and dozens of other college sports organizations and schools asking for responses to 20 questions related to the issue. The letter cites the Commerce Committee's "jurisdiction over matters related to interstate commerce generally and sports in particular," and asks for written responses by June 5. This indicates the likelihood that there will be a hearing on the matter before the full committee and that the committee will be the launch point for any bill that originates in the Senate.

Thursday's letter comes a week after the NCAA Board of Governors, the association's top policy-making group, approved a broad set of recommendations concerning rules changes related to athletes' use of their name, image and likeness. The moves would allow athletes to have endorsement deals, make money from public appearances and social media, sell their memorabilia and autographs, as long as schools aren't involved in arranging these activities and they are not used as recruiting inducements. - Austin American Statesman

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: Austin American Statesman
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05/06/20 - *Trevor Lawrence, Jr/2021, Clemson, 6-6, 213 (DS#1 QB) + More +

Joe Burrow and LSU might have gotten the best of Trevor Lawrence and Clemson in the national championship game in January, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Burrow will be better than Lawrence at the next level. Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd recently discussed whether or not Lawrence or Burrow is the better pro prospect and said the choice is an easy one. Lawrence is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, while Burrow went No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft last month. "Downgrading Trevor Lawrence because he lost to probably the best college football team ever makes no sense," Cowherd said, adding that people he talks to around the NFL don't believe Burrow is the better pro prospect. "Not a single GM I know thinks that. Not one." Burrow had arguably the greatest season of any college football QB ever in 2019, passing for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, with six interceptions, while completing better than 76 percent of his passes. Lawrence passed for 3,665 yards, 36 touchdowns and eight picks last season, but Cowherd believes the disparity in numbers is due in part to the disparity in talent between the two teams. "High school? Not close. I saw Trevor Lawrence play in high school. He's bigger than Burrow, stronger, better arm, bigger hands, better athlete. Everything," Cowherd said. - The State

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: The State
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04/27/20 - *Tee Higgins, Jr/2020, Clemson, 6-4, 216 (DS#8 WR) + More +

The biggest criticism that came from the coverage of this year's NFL Draft was the constant focus on tragedy and trauma. While the draft should be seen as an occasion worth celebrating for a football prospect, ESPN's graphics included details about family deaths, struggles and diseases in an otherwise football-focused profile. Viewers overwhelmingly wanted ESPN to stop highlighting tragedies, but the network defended the pieces as sharing "the human side of the players."

One of those graphics focused on Bengals second-round pick Tee Higgins, which mentioned that Higgins' mother, Camillia, battled drug addiction for 16 years. That graphic was one of the many that sparked backlash towards ESPN, but Higgins himself took no issue with it. The former Clemson wide receiver responded to a screenshot of the graphic and said that he saw the story's inclusion in an inspirational sense. He wrote: I'm proud of my mom for turning her life around for me and my sister! I have no problem with them showing the world that my mom is a true fighter. - Ames Tribune

(DS#8 WR) Jr/2020

WR *Tee Higgins, Clemson
News Source: Ames Tribune
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04/25/20 - Tanner Muse, rSr/2020, Clemson, 6-2, 227 (DS#19 OLB) + More +

Clemson safety Tanner Muse heard his named called late Friday night as Muse was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round. Muse went No. 100 overall to the Raiders. He joins former teammates Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen and Hunter Renfrow in Las Vegas. Muse finished with 73 tackles, six tackles for loss and a team-high four interceptions in 2019. He is expected to play linebacker for the Raiders. - The State

(DS#19 OLB) rSr/2020

OLB Tanner Muse, Clemson
News Source: The State
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04/24/20 - *A.J. Terrell, Jr/2020, Clemson, 6-1, 195 (DS#5 CB) + More +

Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell said prior to the start of the 2019 season that it was a "big year" for him on the football field. That's in part because it was also a big summer for Terrell away from it. Terrell's son - Aundell Terrell III - was born last June, and Terrell wanted to have a season worthy of being a high draft pick. Mission accomplished. Terrell was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, the second Clemson defender to be selected on the night. Clemson's Isaiah Simmons was picked by the Cardinals with the No. 8 overall pick earlier Thursday.

Terrell begins his NFL career after spending three seasons at Clemson. He recorded six interceptions during his time with the Tigers. "My playing style, I would say I'm a competitor. I don't like to back down from competition," Terrell said after getting selected. "I'm going to give the receiver my best. I know I'm going to get theirs. We're just going to compete for the whole four quarters." The Georgia native, who will get to stay in his home state as he continues his football career, was a two-year starter for Clemson, earning third-team All-ACC honors as a sophomore in 2018 and first-team honors in 2019. Terrell helped the Tigers reach the College Football Playoff all three seasons he was at Clemson, and he had a pick-six in Clemson's victory over Alabama in the 2018 national championship game. - The State

(DS#5 CB) Jr/2020

CB *A.J. Terrell, Clemson
News Source: The State
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04/23/20 - *A.J. Terrell, Jr/2020, Clemson, 6-1, 195 (DS#5 CB) + More +

With the No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected former Clemson standout A.J. Terrell on Thursday night. Terrell, a first-team All-ACC selection in 2019 who played three seasons for the Tigers, fills a major need in the Falcons secondary and will be expected to step in and compete for a starting job. Terrell checks many of the boxes the Falcons are looking for in a cornerback. Physically, he has all of the tools. Terrell has great size at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and exceptional speed - he clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day. On the field, Terrell generally plays with good technique (is fluid and transitions well in coverage) and has demonstrated he can make plays downfield (has good ball skills). He's not much of a gambler but has six career interceptions, including a memorable 44-yard pick-six against Tua Tagovailoa and then No. 1 Alabama in the national championship in 2019. - AtlantaFalcons.com

(DS#5 CB) Jr/2020

CB *A.J. Terrell, Clemson
News Source: AtlantaFalcons.com
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04/23/20 - Isaiah Simmons, rJr/2020, Clemson, 6-4, 233 (DS#1 OLB) + More +

The Cardinals stayed at eight, and they went defense. While offensive tackle was a potential target, ultimately GM Steve Keim decided to bolster the other side of the ball, grabbing Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons – who can also be deployed as a safety, a blitzer and potentially some slot corner. "This is one of the most unique players I've ever evaluated," Keim said on the "Cardinals Draft Connection" digital show following the pick. "There's very little this guy can't do. "We vowed to fix this defense." The 6-foot-4, 238-pounder can play the deep middle, play in the box and blitz, Keim said. At the Scouting combine in February, Simmons insisted his position wasn't linebacker as much as "defense." He also brought up on his own his ability to cover tight ends - an issue for the Cardinals in 2019, after the team allowed tight ends 96 receptions for 1,148 yards and 16 touchdowns. - AZCardinals.com

(DS#1 OLB) rJr/2020

OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
News Source: AZCardinals.com
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04/22/20 - *Tee Higgins, Jr/2020, Clemson, 6-4, 216 (DS#8 WR) + More +

Tee Higgins came to Clemson in part because of the success Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins had during their time with the Tigers and eventually in the NFL. He leaves Clemson on equal footing in many ways to those Clemson legends, and is anxious to try to make a name for himself in the NFL as well. "It would be great getting to join those guys," Higgins recently told The State. "They're Clemson greats. It would mean a lot to have my name in the conversation with them." The Tennessee native finished his illustrious career with 27 receiving touchdowns - tying Watkins and Hopkins for the most in school history. And Higgins is the only player in school history to record back-to-back seasons of double digit touchdowns, catching 13 TD passes in 2019 and 12 in 2018.

Higgins is squarely in the conversation for the best Clemson receiver of the last decade - alongside Watkins, Hopkins and Mike Williams, who caught a career-high 49 passes for 1,001 yards for the Chargers last season. "He's just really, really worked his tail off from a fundamental standpoint, a technique standpoint, physical standpoint, his knowledge of the game, and he's just become a very talented route runner," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said of Higgins. "He's got some freaky ball skills. He can make any type of catch. He's got kind of DeAndre Hopkins-type ball skills. He's got Mike Williams length. But he's got some explosiveness to him, as well." - The State

(DS#8 WR) Jr/2020

WR *Tee Higgins, Clemson
News Source: The State
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04/22/20 - Isaiah Simmons, rJr/2020, Clemson, 6-4, 233 (DS#1 OLB) + More +

Good luck finding anyone more versatile than Isaiah Simmons in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Clemson product lined up all over the field for the Tigers during his college career and was productive at every spot. Linebacker or safety, rushing the passer or covering receivers, Simmons did it all. And he led Clemson in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks as a redshirt junior in 2019 before leaving for the NFL. So where does Simmons feel like the best spot for him is at the next level? Simmons appeared on the Doug Gottlieb Show this week and provided that answer. "I would honestly say the best me is how I was used at Clemson to where it's not really like a set position what I do. It's more of responsibilities," Simmons said. "So just giving me kind of the freedom to bounce around from position to position and just let myself go is honestly what I feel is best. But I also feel like I can lock in at one position and dominate that position as well."

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney got an up-close look at Simmons' versatility throughout Simmons' college career and believes that whichever team drafts Simmons will have an advantage. Drafting Simmons is like having three first-round picks, according to Swinney, because the 6-foot-4, 238-pounder can do so many different things. "Just decide where you want to put him and he'll be great at that," Swinney said. "He dispels the myth that there's not a unicorn. He is one. Have not had a guy like him. Had some guys that could do aspects of his game but not all of that with the size and the speed that he has." - The State

(DS#1 OLB) rJr/2020

OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
News Source: The State
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04/15/20 - *Trevor Lawrence, Jr/2021, Clemson, 6-6, 213 (DS#1 QB) + More +

The commissioners of the major college football conferences told vice-president Mike Pence on Wednesday there would be no football this fall until campuses were deemed safe for students following the coronavirus pandemic. The 10 commissioners - representing the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Conference USA, Sun Belt, American Athletic, Mid-American and Mountain West - as well as Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick spoke to Pence via a 30-minute conference call. The call took place as part of the government's exploration of when it might be safe to "re-open" to nation's economy. American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco told the AP he and his colleagues sought to impress upon Pence the difference between college and professional sports, most notably that colleges cannot quarantine athletes (who are also students) the way pro leagues could if needed.

Various professional leagues, including the PGA Tour and Major League Baseball, have tentative plans to try and play or resume their 2020 seasons without fans in attendance. Pence was "hopeful and optimistic" and asked good questions, Bowlsby said. All major American professional and college sports have been shut down since mid-March due to COVID-19, resulting in the cancellation of the NCAA basketball tournament, College World Series and spring football practice. Fall football practice typically begins in August, with the season set to open on Labor Day weekend. However, most players are on-campus beginning in June to participate in voluntary workouts with teammates, as well as attend classes. - Birmingham News

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/13/20 - *Trevor Lawrence, Jr/2021, Clemson, 6-6, 213 (DS#1 QB) + More +

The College Football Playoff spring meetings, pretty much a staple for Las Colinas, have been reduced to a teleconference later this month by the coronavirus. And CFP executive director Bill Hancock is sporting a beard for the first time in 44 years. But the CFP itself has yet to be impacted. Even with all the speculation about everything from shortened seasons to no games whatsoever to spring football, Hancock said his group is focused on a season that's very familiar. "Oh, we are knee-deep in planning for this year's CFP as we always do in the spring," Hancock said by email Monday. "We're confident about the season."

That would mean kickoff on Labor Day. Those snapshot CFP rankings beginning in November. Selection Sunday in December. And the New Year's Six bowl games, which includes the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 30, and the CFP title game. Asked specifically about Plans B, C and even D, Hancock said the playoff hasn't explored any contingency plans. "No, we have not," Hancock said, pointing to the title game site. "We're busy planning for Miami on January 11." For now, Hancock doesn't want to speculate about moving the title game and all the New Year's Six games to sometime in April or May. "I wish I could help, but it's way premature to speculate about that," Hancock said. "The situation in our country seems to change every few days. There's really no need to speculate in April." - Dallas Morning News

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: Dallas Morning News
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04/06/20 - Isaiah Simmons, rJr/2020, Clemson, 6-4, 233 (DS#1 OLB) + More +

If your defense is in need of repair, the best buys can be found at linebacker. "The strength there (on defense) is the linebackers. I see linebackers as full-time guys," said a long-time NFL scout who interviewed for this draft series on the condition that his name not be used. "It's a better group of linebackers than usual. There are five, six who can play and can play full-time and not just be specialists." The player who can upgrade any defense is Clemson's Isaiah Simmons, a freakish athlete who is not a specialist but positionless. Simmons, who was measured at 6 feet 4 and 238 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, lifted 225 pounds 20 times and had jumps of 39 inches (vertical) and 132 inches (broad).

At Clemson, Simmons played multiple spots at all levels of the defense, even making a big interception 20 yards down the field in a College Football Playoff semifinal win over Ohio State. Simmons' versatility and impact on the game is similar to the Chargers' 6-2, 215-pound All-Pro safety Derwin James, but Simmons is faster, taller and more than 20 pounds heavier. "I never seen a guy like Simmons," the NFL scout said. Simmons seems to know his value in the current landscape of the game. "The game is no longer a 250-pound linebacker. It's more guys that can run side to side and are able to cover," he said at the combine last month. "The name of the game is stopping tight ends; something has to be done to stop the Travis Kelces or George Kittles out there." - Honolulu Advertiser

(DS#1 OLB) rJr/2020

OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
News Source: Honolulu Advertiser
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04/04/20 - *Trevor Lawrence, Jr/2021, Clemson, 6-6, 213 (DS#1 QB) + More +

There have been plenty of theories floated around over the past couple of weeks in regards to what will happen to the college football season in 2020. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit is on record as saying he would be "shocked" if the NFL or college football takes place this fall, while Brett McMurphy of Stadium recently reported that one of the possibilities being considered is playing games into next spring, with the national title game taking place in May or June of 2021. Then there is Dabo Swinney's opinion. Clemson's head coach went an entirely different route when speaking with the media Friday morning, stating that he fully expects college football to begin on time in about five months. "My preference is to let's get to work and let's go play. That's the best case scenario. I think that's what's going to happen. I have zero doubt that we're going to be playing," Swinney said. "The stands are going to be packed and the Valley's going to be rocking. I don't have any doubt."

Swinney acknowledged that there are plenty of other possibilities being thrown around, just not any that he is willing to consider. He doesn't have "any doubt" that fall camp will start on time in August and the college football season will start on time shortly thereafter. Swinney pointed to different accomplishments by the United States in the past as the reason for his optimism. "I mean this is America, man. I mean we've stormed the beaches of Normandy. We've sent a car and drove around on Mars. We've walked on the moon. This is the greatest country and the greatest people in the history of the planet," Swinney said. "We've created an iPhone that I can sit here and talk to all you people in all these different places. We've got the smartest people in the world. Listen, we're gonna rise up and we're gonna kick this thing right in the teeth and we'll get back to our lives." - The State

(DS#1 QB) Jr/2021

QB *Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
News Source: The State
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