Clemson Football: 5 Biggest Question Marks heading into the summer

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Robert Foster #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at theMercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

5. Can Mullen be Clemson’s new shutdown corner?

The Clemson football secondary is, most likely, the thinnest position in 2018.

The Tigers lose a couple of key guys from last year’s team and have a lot of young, inexperienced pieces in the lineup this year.

Right now, A.J. Terrel and Mark Fields are listed as co-starters at one cornerback spot. K’Von Wallace and Tanner Muse are penciled in as safeties and Trayvon Mullen is the starter at the opposite-side corner spot.

That safety position is really thin, in my opinion. I know that Isaiah Simmons will play the nickel and SAM linebacker spot, but you’re really going to need better pass coverage this year from the Tigers.

With that being said, the question for me has to do with Trayvon Mullen. Mullen is the most proven out of the group and is primed to take big steps forward in 2018. My question is if Mullen can become “the guy.”

Can he become a Mackensie Alexander-esque player? Can he take the opposing team’s best wide receiver on an island and shut him down?

If Mullen can do that, this Clemson defense may be the best in the country. If he can’t, though, the Tigers may struggle against teams that can throw the ball.

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