Clemson Football: 10 Best Defensive Players

Clemson Football: 10 Best Defensive Players – Of the 80’s

By Ben Greeson | May 25, 2016

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked on the 2 yard line against Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the first quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers fans cheer during the third quarter in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jeff Bryant

Jeff Bryant was a member of the 1981 National Championship team. A name that now gets lost in the shuffle with the bigger stars like “The Fridge” and Jeff Davis.

Jeff Bryant was not only a mainstay on the defensive line for the Tigers, but he went on to lead a very successful NFL career. Bryant was drafted with the 6th pick of the very first round in the 1981 draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Bryant, a 6’5″ 270lb DT/DE from the Atlanta area amassed 63 sacks in his 12 year NFL career along with 11 fumble recoveries and an interception.

He was a key contributor to Clemson’s win over Georgia, causing two of the nine, yes you read that right, nine fumbles in the game. Here are some very less than Hi Def highlights from that particular game.

Next: Rod McSwain

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