Since last September, Jeadyn Lukus has been playing and practicing for Clemson with a torn labrum.
There has been the occasional instance of that shoulder popping out, including a couple of times already this spring, but outside of that, the rising sophomore said it hasn't been all that bothersome. On Friday, Lukus will have a procedure to have it repaired.
While he will miss the rest of the spring, including the spring game, getting the first part of spring in was important. By the time fall camp rolls around, Lukus expects to be fully back and ready to go.
"Competing for a spot, really. That's the only reason," Lukus said when asked why he put the surgery off until now. "Just getting the install and all of that."
"Really as long as it doesn't slip out, you can play with a torn labrum. So I just played the whole season on it and got the first half of spring in and now they're gonna fix it.
Lukus appeared in 11 games during his freshman campaign and recorded his first career interception against North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game.
"Especially to start the season, things were going like fast," Lukus said. "I mean in practice, it goes fast too, but it's not the same as in the game. So I mean, I'd say as the season progressed, it just got easier."
The former 5-star prospect is planning on relying on the experience he got as a freshman as he battles for more playing time in 2023.
"Just step up and compete really," he said. "I mean, all of us younger guys, that's really what you got to do. And then show the coaches that they can trust you when they put you in. That's probably the biggest thing,"
And now that he has a year under his belt, Lukus is confident in his ability to take that next step in his development.
"Just don't let the moment be to big, really," he said. "And then just lock in on what you got to do with all the installs and stuff and just play your game."
"There's plenty of work (to do), really. Just getting the technique and the hands right. Then just trying to get in and see what you can do when the opportunity presents itself."