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Inside Clemson's 'Sandbox': Coach Reveals the Aggressive, Self-Motivated Mentality of His DBs

Clemson's cornerbacks coach Mike Reed pulls back the curtain on his defensive backs, describing them as "kids that play in the sandbox by ourselves".

Clemson cornerbacks coach Mike Reed speaks during Clemson football media day at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson, SC Tuesday, July 15, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CLEMSON, SC – Forget traditional team dynamics. According to Clemson cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, his defensive backs operate with a fiercely independent and self-driven mentality that he likens to "kids that play in the sandbox by ourselves.