Clemson Football: Can Ferrell-Bryant both reach 20+ TFLs in 2017?

Reaching 20 tackles for loss in a single season is difficult for any player to accomplish. Clemson football defensive ends, Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd both recorded at least 20 tackles for loss during the 2015 season. Can Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant replicate their dominant output?

It may sound crazy to compare Ferrell and Bryant to two of the best defensive ends to ever come through the Clemson football program, but, there is merit to this argument.

In that fateful 2015 season, Shaq Lawson recorded 60 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks to Dodd’s 62 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Both Lawson and Dodd were nearly unblockable all season long, but it wasn’t always that way.

Shaq Lawson was a starter opposite Vic Beasley as a sophomore, registering 34 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. While those are solid numbers for a young defensive lineman, Clelin Ferrell was even better during his redshirt freshman season. In 2016, Ferrell recorded 44 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Kevin Dodd was a relative unknown coming into the 2015 season. Up to that point in his career, Dodd had just 20 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a whopping zero sacks. The numbers would suggest that Bryant is much better than Dodd at the same stage in their respective careers. During his two short years in Death Valley – one of which was cut in half due to injury – Bryant has recorded, 35 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Outlook in 2017

Clearly Ferrell and Bryant are capable of matching Lawson and Dodd’s success, if not surpassing it. The only obstacle in their way is the overall talent that Clemson returns along the defensive line. The Tigers have arguably the two best defensive tackles in the country in Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins, both of whom can fill up a stat sheet.

While this level of talent across the board bodes well for the collective defense, it will likely hamper Ferrell and Bryant’s individual statistics. I do expect Ferrell to record double digit sacks and tackles for loss, however, I am not sure if Bryant will me able to match that production.

Next: Realistic expectations for Clemson in 2017

Only time will tell, however, one thing is clear. Ferrell and Bryant will be one of the top duos of edge rushers in the country in 2017.