WLOS -- Every time Nate Wiggins takes the grid iron in 2022, it'll be a testament to his growth and maturity both on and off the field.

As a freshman last year, Wiggins found himself in some trouble for skipping classes and tutoring sessions.

“I really did not go to school in high school, so I had to find my way,” Wiggins acknowledged.

Ahead of his sophomore season, Dabo Swinney pulled the 6-foot-2 corner aside. Wiggins admitted his Tigers head coach was stern when reminding him he'd miss out on playing time if he didn't take his studies seriously.

"He told me he can’t play nobody that does not go to the classroom," Wiggins said. "I wanted to play, so it was like I got to go class because I want to get on the field. And I want to be a great human, a great man so I had to buy in."

The second half of Wiggins' conversation with Swinney seemed to also resonate and serve as motivation. The fourteen-year head coach told Wiggins he has the opportunity to be the best cornerback to ever play for Clemson University. That was the wake up call the Atlanta native needed.

"Just because it's coming from Dabo, like he coached a lot of great players so he knows what it is to be great," Wiggins said.

He's already acquired new skills and tools to ensure he's doing his part off the field.

“I had to work on my time management," Wiggins explained. I had to get better with my alarm. I set three or four alarms now.”

Wiggins and the Tigers open the year facing Georgia Tech.