Clemson Football: 5 best players through the first seven games

2. Austin Bryant, DE

Of Clemson’s talented defensive lineman, Austin Bryant was the least-talked about during the offseason. Through the first seven games of the season, Bryant has outperformed everyone in the Tigers’ deep rotation of defensive lineman.

The junior defensive end has 38 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one interception on the year. Bryant has left nothing up to the imagination of NFL scouts in his third year with the program. He has passed every test with flying colors.

The Tigers are holding opponents to just 13.6 points per game entering week seven. This is due in large part to the play of Bryant and the rest of Clemson’s front seven. Opponents haven’t been able to run the football all year and protecting the quarterback has been just as difficult.

If games are truly won and lost in the trenches and defensive wins championships, than Clemson’s season is far from over.