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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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 11: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Auden Tate #18 of the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. AJ Terrell

AJ Terrell is going to be relied upon to fill the role that Trayvon Mullen left behind last season.

Mullen was able to lock down the opponent’s best receiver and, for the most part in 2018, opposing offenses didn’t throw the ball his way.

It was kind of reminiscent of Mackensie Alexander.

Now, the Tigers have a talented freshman coming in- Andrew Booth- that plays like Alexander, but it’s going to be up to Terrell this year to fill that role.

Next. Who can compete with Clemson in 2019?. dark

He is going to be a huge part of that Clemson football defense and I expect him to work his way up into being a potential top-15 NFL Draft prospect by the conclusion of the 2019 season.

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