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

By Ben Greeson

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
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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Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sean Mac Lain (88) carries the American flag prior to the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sean Mac Lain (88) carries the American flag prior to the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Donald Igwebuike

Now before you start tweeting me nasty things and calling me an idiot, I know Donald Igwebuike was a kicker. There was no way that I could leave him off of this list.

About 4 pages ago, I mentioned building the Clemson brand. Donald was a major part of that.

When you have a kicker, that will, without a doubt kick the ball, not only out of the back of the endzone every attempt, but most times put it in the stands. Well, you have yourself your 12th defensive player on the field.

Igwebuike was a Nigerian-born athlete who mostly kicked, get this…barefoot.

Coach Ford built a National Championship team on defense, and the leg of Donald Igwebuike. In 1981 the Tigers won by scores of 10-8, 13-3, 13-5 respectively.

Igwebuike kicked three field goals (41, 41, 36yds) in the Orange Bowl game against Nebraska. A field position, and distance kicking specialist, Igwebuike definitely has a place in this list.

Drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the 10th round of the 1985 draft, he is still the 4th leading scorer in Buccaneers history with 416 points.

Igwebuike lasted 6 years in the NFL before kicking in the CFL with three different teams.

Next: Terry Kinard

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