Swinney announces that a Clemson receiver has switched positions

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A talented youngster is moving to the defensive side of the ball.

Clemson receiver Ronin Hanafin is now a defensive back (nickel/safety), announced by head coach Dabo Swinney on Tuesday during his press conference.

Swinney said he recruited Hanafin as an athlete, but he was unsure which side of the ball would be better for his football career.

"We recruited him, and a lot of people offered him as a defensive player," Swinney said. "Alabama offered him as a defensive player. Some people offered him as a receiver and I told his family up front I loved who he was. It was easier for me to evaluate him as a defensive player. He was a no-brainer."

Hanafin was much faster in high school than his peers, so judging him as a receiver was difficult with all the finer details of the position.

"It was harder for me to evaluate him as a receiver because all he did was just run by people and jump up and catch a ball and run a slant."

Swinney knows that Hanafin is a natural football player.

"He’s one of the best pure football players on this team," Swinney said. "This kid is special. He can flat-out play the game, but after really spending a year with him, I just know he’s more natural on the defensive side. Just turn on the special teams tape, you; he almost blocked the punt the other night."

Hanafin entered the 2024 season with 41 offensive snaps over 11 games.

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