By: Jason Priester
Despite redshirting, Caden Story's freshman season at Clemson was a productive one.
Story committed to Clemson on signing day last February, and was the only defensive tackle the Tigers signed in the 2022 recruiting class. While appearing in just one game this season, Story feels like he has seen a tremendous amount of growth as a football player during his short time at Clemson.
Getting to play behind and learn from some of the veterans along the Tigers' defensive front is something that has proven to be invaluable to the young freshman.
"I learned a lot during my first season here," Story told All Clemson. "Just being behind guys like Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro and Bryan Bresee. They taught me a lot of things. How to defend blocks, how to escape off blocks, how to read my keys, read the backfield and those types of things."
However, while Story feels like he has learned a lot from multiple teammates, it was Davis that really took him under his wing, and from the moment he arrived at school.
"Ever since the first day I stepped on campus, he helped me learn to get better," Story said of Davis. "He helped me learn and helped me get better, as well as helping me become a better man."
Story, out of Lanett, Alabama, was one of the state’s most decorated defensive linemen in 2020 and 2021, as he earned first-team all-area from the Opelika-Auburn News and first-team all-state honors while earning both Valley-Times Defensive Player of the Year and AHSAA 2A Defensive Lineman of the Year in both seasons.
The former blue-chip prospect was originally committed to Auburn, where Nick Eason was at one time the defensive line coach. When Eason left to join Dabo Swinney's staff in January of last year, the relationship the two had already established played a huge role in leading Story to Clemson.
After one season with the program, Story absolutely has no regrets and he credits Eason for many of the strides he's already made.
"I feel like I've gotten better with my hands... I feel like I got a lot better with my hands," Story said. "Just being an overall better defense lineman period. I feel like those guys and Coach Eason helped me get to where I am today."
Despite redshirting, Caden Story's freshman season at Clemson was a productive one.
Story committed to Clemson on signing day last February, and was the only defensive tackle the Tigers signed in the 2022 recruiting class. While appearing in just one game this season, Story feels like he has seen a tremendous amount of growth as a football player during his short time at Clemson.
Getting to play behind and learn from some of the veterans along the Tigers' defensive front is something that has proven to be invaluable to the young freshman.
"I learned a lot during my first season here," Story told All Clemson. "Just being behind guys like Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro and Bryan Bresee. They taught me a lot of things. How to defend blocks, how to escape off blocks, how to read my keys, read the backfield and those types of things."
However, while Story feels like he has learned a lot from multiple teammates, it was Davis that really took him under his wing, and from the moment he arrived at school.
"Ever since the first day I stepped on campus, he helped me learn to get better," Story said of Davis. "He helped me learn and helped me get better, as well as helping me become a better man."
Story, out of Lanett, Alabama, was one of the state’s most decorated defensive linemen in 2020 and 2021, as he earned first-team all-area from the Opelika-Auburn News and first-team all-state honors while earning both Valley-Times Defensive Player of the Year and AHSAA 2A Defensive Lineman of the Year in both seasons.
The former blue-chip prospect was originally committed to Auburn, where Nick Eason was at one time the defensive line coach. When Eason left to join Dabo Swinney's staff in January of last year, the relationship the two had already established played a huge role in leading Story to Clemson.
After one season with the program, Story absolutely has no regrets and he credits Eason for many of the strides he's already made.
"I feel like I've gotten better with my hands... I feel like I got a lot better with my hands," Story said. "Just being an overall better defense lineman period. I feel like those guys and Coach Eason helped me get to where I am today."
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