CLEMSON – The lightning sirens went off a few minutes before Friday’s practice, and a few minutes later the skies opened up with yet another thunderstorm. The rain provided an almost deafening cacophony on the metal roof of the indoor practice facility, making it hard to hear.
Except for Brent Venables. Brent Venables could still be heard.
Clemson’s defensive coordinator has a tough task in replacing a bevy of talented players, and the start of practice was all about the basics as Venables put the defense through tackling drills. One standout was linebacker Shaq Smith.