The Clemson defensive lineman who is 'making a move' this spring

CLEMSON — Everyone in the country is well aware that Clemson has two of the best defensive tackles in the country returning for the 2022 season in Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee.

But what isn’t being talked about nearly as much is the fact that the Tigers also have a talented group behind those two All-American candidates.

One of the players in that next group is rising sophomore Payton Page, who has been turning heads this spring. With Bresee out for the spring as he recovers from surgeries, the players behind him are getting extra work in.

Page is one of those players getting an increased workload, and he’s making the most of it.

“He’s making a move. He’s really, really made some strides,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday. “He’s got his body in a great spot. He’s playing fast, he’s playing with great technique. I mean he shows up every day. That whole group, you just can’t help but notice them.”

Page tweeted Thursday morning that he is down to 320 pounds, which is a big difference from where he was when he arrived at Clemson.

He has maintained his power as he has dropped weight, but he is also quicker and has better endurance now. That’s helping him work his way up the depth chart.

“I would say Payton Page is right at the top right now,” defensive tackles coach Nick Eason said when asked who is standing out. “He’s having a really good spring. He’s done a really good job of losing some weight. I think when he got here they told me he was about 390 pounds. I think he’s cut his weight down to about 325-330. So he’s moving really well. He’s one of the guys that’s really caught my eye being a young guy.”

It’s unlikely that Page beats out Davis or Bresee for a starting job. After all, Bresee is a former No. 1 overall recruit who earned third-team All-ACC honors last season, despite only playing in four games. And Davis overcame injuries last year to earn first-team All-ACC honors.

But Page is almost certain to receive increased playing time in 2022 after playing 76 defensive snaps last season and finishing the year with eight tackles.

Ruke Orohorhoro and Tre Williams are veterans who will also likely getting plenty of playing time for the Tigers this fall. But don’t discount Page, who is really impressing his new position coach.

“I’m expecting a lot of great things from him,” Eason said. “He’s gotta continue to be consistent. But he’s done a really good job this spring on the field. And it started with just his offseason conditioning and his diet plan. Man, he’s worked really hard. So I’m really proud of him. He’s getting better every day, and I’m really excited for him.”