Clemson Football: 5 returning defensive players who must step up in 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with the trophy after his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with K’Von Wallace /

Here are five returning defensive players that must step up for Clemson football to have continued success during the 2019 season.

The Clemson football defense proved to be the best in the nation during the 2018 season.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, they lose the vast majority of the starters off that elite defense from a year ago.

There won’t be any Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, Tre Lamar, Kendall Joseph, Albert Huggins or Trayvon Mullen on this year’s team.

That means there is a ton of guys that must step up.

Here are five returners on the Clemson football defense who will play an important role for the Tigers this upcoming season.

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