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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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Shaq Smith #5 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 (not pictured) threw a 2-yard game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow #13 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game 35-31 at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Shaq Smith

It’s Shaq Smith’s time.

The Clemson football faithful were very high on Shaq Smith, who came in as a 5-star, a few years ago. Smith hasn’t quite lived up to his star-rating so far, but it’s time.

Smith, a redshirt junior, is going to have a monster season, in my opinion.

He is expected to compete for a starting position in that linebacker corp and I think we’re going to see the dominance, physicality and athleticism of Shaq Smith that we all have waited for the past couple of seasons.

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