Clemson football practice: Jeadyn Lukus starts, offensive line starters work on Day 2
CLEMSON — Clemson football ramped up the energy on Day 2 of preseason practice Friday.
During stretches, coach Dabo Swinney had exchanges with offensive line coach Matt Luke and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason. Those conversations trickled down to both position coach's units with each bringing intensity to drills and making players redo reps or do up downs if it wasn't correct.
There was a sense of urgency for the Tigers to have a strong outing despite it only being the second day of practice. Here's what else we observed during Clemson's open sessions:
Clemson football gives glimpse of starting linebackers, defensive backs
The Tigers worked on their nickel defense in the final open session and showcased their starters as of Friday. Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz got the two linebacker spots and R.J. Mickens, Tyler Venables, Khalil Barnes, Avieon Terrell and Jeadyn Lukus are the starting defensive backs.
The defensive back group was noticeably missing Shelton Lewis, who recorded two interceptions and nine pass deflections as a freshman last year. The sophomore was starting opposite of Terrell during the spring as Lukus, the most experienced cornerback, recovered from offseason hip surgery. It is worth monitoring how the starting cornerbacks will play out as the team inches closer to its first scrimmage on Aug. 10.
Clemson football, Matt Luke show first-team offensive line
The Tigers' first-team offensive line unit was Tristan Leigh (left tackle), Marcus Tate (left guard), Ryan Linthicum (center), Walker Parks (right guard) and Blake Miller (right tackle) in back-to-back days.
Linthicum continues to lead Harris Sewell and Trent Howard at center, and Parks, who is returning from season-ending ankle surgery in 2023, usurped Collin Sadler, who started at guard during the spring.
How Clemson football's special teams performed on Day 2
Robert Gunn III and Nolan Hauser continued their kicker battle Friday. Both struggled Thursday with Gunn going 2-for-5 , missing kicks from 30, 37 and 41 yards, and Hauser going 3-for-5, missing from 37 and 43 yards.
On Friday, both improved considerably. Hauser was a perfect 5-for-5, nailing kicks from 27 to 43 yards. Gunn went 4-for-5 with his lone miss going wide right from 32 yards.
Clemson also featured various punt returners who look to handle those duties in the fall. Wide receivers Antonio Williams, Tyler Brown, Troy Stellato, Bryant Wesco Jr. and Misun Kelley were a handful of candidates that received reps.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Jeadyn Lukus players with starters on preseason Day 2
