Clemson backup linebacker Keith Maguire tries to practice every day with a sense of urgency and prepare each week as if he is a starter so if his number gets called in a game, he will be ready to perform up to the Tigers’ standard at his position.
That mindset paid off for Maguire last Saturday at Virginia Tech, as the redshirt freshman stepped up when asked to play a bigger role after starting linebacker James Skalski and reserve backer Jake Venables both left the game because of injuries.
Maguire recorded a career-high five tackles, including three solo stops, and also forced a fumble in the second half of the Tigers’ 45-10 win over the Hokies that clinched Clemson’s spot in the ACC Championship Game for the sixth straight year.