Clemson Football: 5 returning defensive players who must step up in 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with the trophy after his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Dexter Lawrence of the Clemson Tigers congratulates Nyles Pinckney #44 fourth down tackle on a fake field goal during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Nyles Pinckney

Unfortunately, we won’t see Nyles Pinckney in the spring.

Pinckney will miss the entire spring recovering from surgery on a pectoral muscle. He is expected to be back by the summer and will be relied upon heavily this season for the Tigers.

Pinckney is going to be a starter, without a doubt, at defensive tackle.

I can go ahead and tell you that teams are going to test the interior of that Tiger defense early. Pinckney will need to be able to stuff runs and show opponents that Clemson is still capable of clogging holes up the middle as Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence have done the past couple of seasons.

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