The Clemson Tigers are gearing up to hold their annual spring football game to showcase what is to come in the 2023 season, and it will look a little different this year.
Notably, Clemson has changed how they split the teams’ roster this season, as one team will be led by the first-team offense and the second-team defense, while the other team will have the first-team defense and the second-team offense.
In previous years, starters from each position group were split between teams. With the new roster selection process, playing first-team offense versus first-team defense will allow fans to see the best players facing off against each other.
Team White, led by running backs coach C.J. Spiller, will face off against Team Orange, led by defensive tackles coach Nick Eason. Spiller’s team will be headlined by the starting offense, with sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik at the helm, while the starting defense will be under the direction of Eason.
To even the field a bit more, star running back Will Shipley has been placed with the second-team offense on Team Orange, while Phil Mafah has been named to the White first-team offense.
Klubnik will be throwing to Antonio Williams, Brannon Spector and Jake Briningstool. They will be facing off in the backfield against the secondary for the Orange Team, consisting of Nate Wiggins, Toriano Pride Jr., Andrew Mukuba and R.J. Mickens.
All eyes will be on the defensive line for Team Orange, led by Tyler Davis, true freshmen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker have been named to the first-team defense. Woods, a five-star out of high school, has been widely praised by the Clemson staff and will be a player to watch during the game.
The Orange Team will also have star linebackers Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter lining up on defense. Trotter and Carter combined for 162 tackles and 12 sacks in the 2022 season. Carter also led the team with two forced fumbles on the season.
“Just like you do in the fall, I hope that you all will come out in full force to support our players on Saturday,” head coach Dabo Swinney said in an email sent to Clemson students on Tuesday. “The atmosphere you create makes a difference for us on the field and in recruiting, and we look forward to having a true gameday environment once again this Saturday.”
Come watch the Tigers win, no matter which team, at Death Valley on April 15 at 1 p.m. EDT.