CLEMSON, (S.C.) - The Clemson football team (8-4, 5-3) took to the Jervey practice fields Monday morning in preparation for its December 29 game versus Kentucky in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.

Sophomore wide receiver Rendrick Taylor, who is working to make a comeback after sustaining a fractured arm against Wake Forest, worked extensively today.

"He went full speed. He hit the ground a couple of times and fell on his arm. He looked pretty good," head coach Tommy Bowden told reporters. "I would think if he can stay healthy until game time, he would help us depth-wise."

Bowden said Taylor wore an orange jersey for the first time since suffering his injury in October.

"He got hit going full tilt on a reverse and went down with some pressure on his arm. I'm sure it was kind of scary for him, but the doctors wouldn't have let him practice unless they felt his bone structure could take it."

Bowden told reporters to expect a lot from Taylor against the Wildcats might not be realistic considering his extended absence from the lineup.

"When he was healthy, we had a nice little package for him. I doubt we'll put it back in now, though," he said. "He's unpolished. He's a skill guy who has been out for a while."

The eight-year head coach got a look at several true freshmen who are red-shirting this season, a few of whom will be counted on to contend for work in two-deep roles in the spring.

"We scrimmaged today," Bowden said. "We ran about 20 plays there, more so with some of the younger offensive linemen, because that's where we're going to lose a lot of guys."

Bowden said a lot can be said for the Tigers' leadership and experience up front.

"Those guys have been through the fire. They're well-respected on the team. It all starts up there, too, running and passing," he said. "To have some solid players up there, that helps. From a composure standpoint, leadership, stability, it helps."

"When things go wrong, you see some doubt and indecision with some of the younger kids. They look up to the other kids when they see them out there going through those battles. Plus, experience is hard to replace up front. The margin of error is so small because the defender is so close to you all the time."

Bowden said red-shirt freshman athlete Ray Ray McElrathbey has been in better spirits as of late. The athletic cornerback-turned-running back could be the surprise of the spring, Bowden told reporters over the weekend.

"He's rejuvenated because of the move to offense," Bowden detailed. "With the awards he's getting, flying around to different parts of the country receiving awards, it has been a combination of things. He's not having to worry about his brother (this Christmas), so I think it has heightened his spirits."

The Tigers will practice again on Tuesday, and will hold workouts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before breaking for the holidays. Clemson's first off-campus bowl workout will be held in Nashville, Tenn. on December 26.