Clemson safety Hall becoming interception machine

By Ed McGranahan - The Greenville News

CLEMSON -- Perhaps lost in the intrigue over safety DeAndre McDaniel's potential record-setting season at Clemson is the production of redshirt freshman safety Rashard Hall.

McDaniel, the starter at strong safety, has tied the school record with eight interceptions. Hall has five including one in each of the last four games. McDaniel leads the team in total tackles (65), Hall in a backup role much of the year is sixth (45).

Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele marvels at Hall's intelligence and ability to digest information and translate it on the field.

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“He's like coaching a pro,” said Steele, who spent four seasons in the NFL. “He's very football intelligent.

“He's a special guy. He's fun to coach. He's even fun to go into meetings with. If you make a mistake in your verbiage, he looks at you, catches you.”

YOUNG GUNS — By adding Jarvis Byrd to the defensive lineup, N.C. State will have three freshmen in its secondary. Byrd will play the boundary corner and redshirt freshman C.J. Wilson will move to field corner. Free safety Brandon Bishop is also a freshman.

“We've played seven true freshmen this year,” said Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien, “which is probably twice as many as I've ever played in my career.”

TOYS FOR TOTS — Clemson has offered 100 toys in N.C. State's Toys for Tots drive this weekend, O'Brien said.

INJURY REPORT — Clemson's injury report on Thursday listed defensive end DaQuan Bowers as out for the N.C. State game because of a knee injury. Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (toe) is listed as probable and defensive back Kantrell Brown (concussion) has been cleared to play.