Among the many true freshmen who have seen early playing time and gained some experience through the first two games of the season for Clemson are a pair of talented safeties in Tyler Venables and R.J. Mickens.
Both Venables and Mickens made their college debuts in the season opener at Wake Forest, with Venables logging 22 snaps and Mickens seeing the field for a couple. Last Saturday against The Citadel at Death Valley, Venables posted a tackle for loss and a pass breakup while Mickens chipped in with a tackle of his own.
Senior safety Nolan Turner, the veteran leader of the Tigers’ young secondary, has been impressed by what he’s seen from Venables and Mickens when they have been on the field and how they have been able to quickly absorb defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ complex scheme.