By Will Vandervort (Contact / Staff Bio)
April 23, 2008 - 12:17 a.m. EST

CLEMSON — Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning likes to work out for at least 30 minutes a day at the university’s strength and conditioning facilities located under the Jervey Athletic Center.

He feels it’s a good way to clear his mind, especially this time of year when the football staff is stressed with the monotony of constant meetings about schemes, evaluations and recruiting. But Koenning has noticed a little trend during his workouts, which vary from day-to-day, that’s causing them to be a little more stressful than he would have hoped. He isn’t seeing too many of his players taking advantage of Clemson’s nice weight room and conditioning facility.

“This is the discretionary time of year so we can’t make these guys work out. They’re on their own,” the Clemson coach said Tuesday. “But I’m not pleased with the way some of the guys have not made much time to get in the weight room.”

Koenning understands he cannot say anything to his players because workouts are strictly on a voluntary basis, but he cannot understand why a group of guys who say they want to win an ACC Championship and go to a BCS Bowl are not taking things a little more seriously.

“I have only seen a handful of guys that have consistently been in and working,” he said. “At some point they need to start showing they want to do it, and not talk about it. I understand that a lot of guys are working hard on their academics and have really been hitting the books since spring practices was over, and that’s what I want them to do, but you can’t tell me they’re spending 14 hours a day on academics.

“It only takes 30 minutes to come and have a good workout, plus it clears your mind from all the stress that comes with the academics.”

Koenning said he has seen pretty much his entire secondary at some point or another when he is walking on the treadmill or something. But there are a few older guys on the defense that he hasn’t seen since spring practice ended on April 12.

“I’ve played this game, and I know what it takes to be successful,” he said. “Football is not a sport, it is a way of life. They can talk about winning a championship all they want, but until they start proving that by working hard, then all that is, is just talk. It’s time to stop talking… I can’t hold them accountable if they work out or not. I can’t be critical of them.

“This time will be an indication of how much they want it. Are they hungry?”

The Tigers return eight starters from last year’s nationally ranked defense, including the team’s second-leading tackler in safety Michael Hamlin. He also shared the team lead in interceptions with four.

Scott honored. Clemson defensive tackle Dorell Scott has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List for the fall. The Outland Trophy goes to the top lineman in college football and is selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Scott is one of 70 players from across the country, one of seven ACC players on the list. The rising senior started all 13 games for the Tigers last year and has played in 26 in a row over two seasons. The Columbia native had 50 tackles, including five tackles for a loss and three sacks for Clemson’s top 25-team in 2007. Scott was named honorable mention All-ACC and was third among Tiger defensive linemen in tackles last year. Clemson ranked in the top 10 in the nation as a team in total defense and scoring defense last season.

The three finalists for the award will attend the College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla., on December 11 when the winner will be announced. The official trophy presentation will be made in Omaha, Neb., on January 15. Michael Dean Perry (1987) and Stacy Long (1990) are the only two former Clemson players to be named finalists for the award.

Surgeries. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said on the ACC spring football teleconference Tuesday that five players had surgeries after spring practice ended on April 12. All the players will be ready for the start of fall practice in August. The players were: Brandon Maye (knee); Tyler Grisham (knee); Chris Hairston (shoulder); Chad Diehl (ankle) and Akeem Robinson (knee).