Clemson Football’s 10 Most Valuable Players in 2014
By Dan Kelley
Oct 11, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley (3) reacts during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Vic Beasley – Clemson football’s MVP in 2014. Could it have been anyone else?
It would be tough to find a more balanced defense than Clemson’s was this year. But Beasley was clearly the best player on the best defense in the country and that is why he is No. 1 on this list.
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Beasley not only led the Tigers in tackles for a loss (21.5), he had more sacks (12) than anyone else had tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His sack total was also 7th-best in the nation.
Beasley played one of his best games of the year in the Tigers’ Russell Athletics Bowl victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. He contributed to the Sooners’ offensive futility with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, and a pass break-up.
It was an appropriate conclusion to a legendary career at Clemson. Beasley will surely be remembered as one of the best defenders to ever don the Clemson orange. After spurning the NFL Draft and returning for his senior season this year, he shattered the school record for career sacks.
The old record was 28. Beasley finished with 33.
At the end of the year Beasley joined Peters, Jarrett, and Anthony on the All-ACC First Team Defense and won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was also a First-Team All-American.
Beasley will not be replaced next season. The Tigers may reload and make do without him in 2015 but there will never be another Vic Beasley.
(Video highlights courtesy of
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