Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Monday defensive end Xavier Thomas is ahead of schedule on his ability to return this season and could begin individual drills as early as this week.
The Tigers’ defensive end has been out all year after he contracted the coronavirus before he was set to return to Clemson in June. Thomas also developed strep throat over the summer.
The two illnesses prevented the All-ACC candidate from working out with his team, as he came into camp still trying to get his strength back. Clemson’s doctors thought it was best at the time to hold him out of camp, allowing himself to slowly get back to health and then football shape before returning to regular practice.