Clemson Opens 2007 Fall Football Practice on Saturday

Aug. 3, 2007

Clemson, SC – Clemson will open its 2007 preseason practice schedule on Saturday at 4:30 PM on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center. All practices are closed to the public, but the team will hold its Fan Appreciation Day at Clemson Memorial Stadium on Sunday, August 12 at 3:00 PM.

Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden announced three position changes on the eve of the first practice. Sadat Chambers, who lettered as a safety as a red-shirt freshman last year, has been moved to running back. Chambers was the AA Back of the Year in South Carolina at Central High School in Pageland as a junior and a senior. He rushed for over 1,000 yards his junior year.

Mike Wade, a quarterback from Greer, SC, has been moved to safety. Wade, who was limited by a wrist injury last spring, worked at quarterback last year as a first-year freshman. He earned a 4.0 in the classroom in both semesters last year when he red-shirted athletically. He won the team Power Hour Strongman competition during spring practice.

Kevin Alexander made the most subtle change among the three moving from linebacker to bandit end. Alexander lettered last year as a linebacker when he played 40 snaps in 13 games and made 16 tackles, many of which came on special teams.

“We are making these changes to get these players a better opportunity to get on the field,” said Bowden, who is beginning his ninth year at Clemson. “When you look at our personnel at quarterback it made sense to move Mike Wade. He is a very good all-around athlete. You don’t win Coach (Joey) Batson’s Strongman competition without outstanding ability.

“We felt we needed another running back and Sadat has significant experience at the position. With all the responsibilities Ray Ray McElrathbey has to juggle as a parent and a student-athlete we thought it would be a wise to have some additional personnel at this position.”

Bowden said he expects all the veteran players to be back in camp and be ready for practice on Saturday. Bowden also said linebacker Stanley Hunter of Byrnes High School in Spartanburg, SC and wide receiver Markish Jones Broome High School in Spartanburg, SC, would not be with the team when practice begins on Saturday.