It won’t have the same flavor as a nighttime, primetime, top-10 matchup, but it’s football in front of fans in Death Valley. And it’s glorious.

The NCAA dead period is still in effect but that isn’t keeping Clemson recruits, both commitments and prospects, away from Death Valley for Saturday’s spring game.

Despite several of the top players missing this spring, Clemson’s defense has performed well against the Tigers’ explosive offense.

EJ Williams watched the youngers receivers running around the Tigers’ practice field and realized he needed to take his already-stellar game to another level.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney told the media a week ago that he has been pleased with the progress and availability of defensive end Xavier Thomas during the spring, but defensive coordinator Brent Venables admitted Wednesday that Thomas has been “snakebit” and once again has missed time.

It’s not hard for Justyn Ross to admit. A year ago, he was scared. Scared about the surgery. Scared about his future mobility. Scared he would never play football again. These days, his trademark smile is back and he feels like he will get the go-ahead to play football...

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables started Wednesday’s post-practice availability by letting everyone know that he likes to take responsibility for his defenses, and the reason that he hasn’t spoken with the media since before the Sugar Bowl had nothing to do with conspiracies or ducking questions. That night against...