Dabo Swinney reveals why Sheridan Jones was unavailable vs. Wake Forest

Head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers earned a close win against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday. However, the Tigers were forced to play the game without defensive back Sheridan Jones.

After the game, Swinney explained why Clemson was without Jones for the game.

“He just started having some headaches,” Dabo Swinney said. “So, he just was feeling kind of sick and nauseous on the bus ride over. Could hardly look at the sun.”

The illness that Sheridan Jones was dealing with apparently came on suddenly and he was being tested to figure out what was wrong following the game. However, Dabo Swinney didn’t know any specific details about what Jones was dealing with immediately following the game.

“They took him to evaluate him. They’re running some tests on him and that’s really all I know, right now. I mean, literally, after we walked through the Tiger Walk, I get hit with that news.”

In place of Sheridan Jones, players like Toriano Pride and Avieon Terrell filled in. Those plays, especially Pride, earned praise after the game from Dabo Swinney.

“So, hats off for Toriano and for Avieon and those guys being ready. Again, you sit in the meetings, you’re on the practice field and sometimes you may play, you may not, but you’ve got to be ready for your opportunity and it was good to see Pride take advantage of his opportunity to play today. He made some huge plays. He had some big time PBUs, some tight coverage, he played clean, and it was hopefully a game that’ll really boost his confidence, and he made some really good, physical tackles too.”

Clemson ended up beating Wake Forest 17-12. In that game, Toriano Pride actually led Clemson in tackles. He didn’t manage to intercept a pass, but he did have a solid day in coverage, helping to shut down the Demon Deacons’ offense.

Dabo Swinney breaks down the meaning of ‘best is the standard’ at Clemson

At Clemson, Dabo Swinney tries to motivate his team with the phrase, “the best is the standard.” That’s an expression that he recently explained.

“I mean we started that when I got the job. A lot of people, especially with the success that we’ve had over the last 12 years or so, people think that it means the best. That’s not what it means,” Swinney said.

“It’s about being our best, your best. Best is the standard is about being and doing your best in everything that you do. That’s an inward focus, and I think that’s where a lot of people, they, as our program has developed, they take that the wrong way. It’s never been about being the best.”