Wednesday Shrine Bowl observations

SPARTANBURG - The best players from North and South Carolina were back in action Wednesday for the third day of Shrine Bowl practices at Spartanburg High School.

Wednesday was the warmest day at Shrine Bowl practice this week and CUTigers was around for both sessions.

Clemson commit Ryan Norton continues to work with the first-team offensive line. He’s also working as the long snapper during the South Carolina team’s special teams work. That skill looks like it will help contribute to his value at Clemson.

Ryan Norton continues to work at center and a long snapper this week. (Miller Safrit)

Norton’s been inconsistent at practice this week. At times, he looks pretty good, other times, he’s struggled. The Scout.com three-star will have a couple of seasons of preparation before he’s asked to replace Dalton Freeman.

When the Sandlappers’ offense isn’t spread out with three and four wide receivers, they’ll lineup three linebackers in the offensive backfield.

Clemson target Lateek Townsend has alternated carries with Dexter Staley out of a wildcat look. Carson Smith serves as the other blocker in the backfield.

Adam Humphries, a Clemson commit, made a few plays during 11-on-11 work. He had a few pass breakups on throws from Tennessee commit Justin Worley. Humphries continues to work at cornerback this week, though he’s going to work as a slot receiver at Clemson.

We were impressed with Humphries during the summer at the Dabo Swinney Football Camp, where he worked out as a wide receiver. But if he was needed to move to the defensive side of the ball at the next level, safety would likely be the more ideal position, not corner.

One of the funniest moments of the week occurred this morning during the Tarheels’ 11-on-11 work. North Carolina quarterback commit Marquise Williams took off on a designed quarterback run. He was quickly wrapped up by linebackers Stephone Anthony and Kris Frost.

“You’ve got two All-Americans coming at you, Quise,” Frost shouted. “You should be scared.”

North Carolina commit (and Clemson target) Devonte Brown could very well be the best defensive tackle at this week’s practice. Fellow Tar Heel commit Shawn Underwood has been pretty solid, too. So has Phillip Dukes, who’s likely to chose between South Carolina and Clemson.

Chatter around the fields this week is that Brown has shown up better than advertised. Coupled with his college-ready body, look for Brown to contribute on the college level as early as next season.

Walking wounded
As mentioned in our feature from earlier this afternoon, South Carolina Mr. Football/Scout.com five-star/nastiest dude at Spartanburg High this week, Jadeveon Clowney sat out both practices on Wednesday. He tweaked his shoulder on Tuesday.

Dukes was down early during the morning session on Wednesday with an ankle injury. It’s the same ankle he twisted on the turf during Monday morning’s session. Dukes was also held out of the Wednesday afternoon session.

Clemson target Jeoffrey Pagan will not be in town this week. Though he was selected to play in the game, a knee injury has prevented Pagan from playing. CUTigers learned that he will not be in Spartanburg anytime this week.