Clemson Football: DE group looks terrifying following the spring

Even though Clemson football will have to replace many talented players, the defensive end group looks scary heading into the summer.

Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant left the Clemson football program better than they found it.

Both Ferrell and Bryant are expected to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Ferrell will be first-round pick.

While those two guys will be missed, the Tigers have some big talent behind them looking to prove themselves in 2019.

After looking at some of these players in the spring, this unit actually looks scary with all the talent, explosiveness and pure skill that they possess.

Right now, I think the starters are somewhat defined heading into the summer. Xavier Thomas and Justin Foster seem to have a leg up on the competition, but I wouldn’t count KJ Henry out. Henry will continue to compete with Foster for that starting spot opposite-side of Thomas.

All three of these guys will be drafted one day.

I think Thomas has a chance to be a top-10 draft pick and Henry has potential to go in the first round before it’s all said and done.

Behind them, though, is even more depth.

Justin Mascoll, a redshirt freshman, had one of the best springs of any player on the team. Mascoll looks like he has a quick twitch and is explosive coming out of his stance. Logan Rudolph is yet another guy that possesses both strength and physicality.

When you have all five of these guys lining up on the edge, it’s going to make things very difficult for opposing offensive tackles.

Not only should the Tigers be able to remain fresh during games, but they also should have players that are more athletic, physical and explosive than the competition. That bodes well for a team looking to replace one of the best defensive end duos to ever play in Clemson football history.