Clemson Riding the Defense
Clemson’s offense is changing rapidly under offensive coordinator Chad Morris. They are installing something that looks more like Auburn and Oregon than what we are used to seeing from the Tigers. While that garners the headlines and will, eventually, look pretty cool, it is still the defense that Clemson will rely upon to reach another bowl game.
Yet, relying on a defense that lost Da’Quan Bowers, Jarvis Jenkins, Marcus Gilchrist, Byron Maxwell and DeAndre McDaniel will not be easy. That is an impressive group of players that coordinators Charlie Harbison and Kevin Steele must try and replace. Amazingly, there really is not a lack of talent on the defense. Each position has players ready to step up and take over the role. While this group is full of talent, experience and depth may be the issues that stop Clemson from sporting the ACC’s best scoring defense again in 2011.
The front four will look different without Bowers and Jenkins, but end Andre Branch and tackle Brandon Thompson will hear their names called in the first couple of rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. Throw in Rennie Moore, Malliciah Goodman and Kournei Brown and the Tigers have options for filling in the other starting spots.
The linebackers were the weak point last season. Corico Hawkins is back after tallying 71 tackles last season and Quandon Christian has some starting experience as well. Jonathan Willard is the most experienced option to take over on the weak side. But experience may not mean much to the linebacker corps. Clemson’s superb recruiting class includes three linebackers who could make a huge impact this season. Tony Steward is the best of the bunch and could even start from day one over Willard. Stephone Anthony and Lateek Townsend figure to fit into the mix as well. The linebackers may be young, but they could be very, very good sooner rather than later.
The secondary was hardest hit by graduation. Rashard Hall is an experienced free safety who should emerge as a leader of the defense. Jonathan Meeks appears ready to fill in at the strong safety spot. There are a couple experienced corners in Xavier Brewer and Coty Sensabaugh who are capable of playing a bigger role for Coach Dabo Swinney. However, redshirt freshman Bashaud Breeland had a superb spring and may even earn a starting job. Either way, the secondary has depth.
It is very possible that the back seven will start no seniors by the end of the year…or maybe even at the beginning of the season. While there may be some growing pains, the Tigers superb recruiting under Coach Swinney has allowed them to reload with relative ease even when players like Bowers and McDaniel are off playing on Sundays.
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