Pearman says Lay has been ‘pleasant surprise’ in first year

There may not be a tight end on Clemson’s football team more physically gifted than Jaelyn Lay, an athletic 6-foot-6, 270-pound freshman.

Lay enrolled last January, and the Tigers thought for some time that they were going to need him to contribute immediately this season with Braden Galloway serving a one-year suspension.

However, Clemson ultimately made the call to redshirt Lay, and tight ends coach Danny Pearman says it has been a positive year for his development.

“Jaelyn’s been a pleasant surprise,” Pearman told The Clemson Insider recently. “He came here, has worked extremely hard. We were close to playing him this year, especially with Braden being out, but as it got down the stretch we…