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Clemson Football: A look at the Tigers’ highest-grading returners

By Shawn Spencer

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers makes a catch against Josh Jobe #28 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the third quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers makes a catch against Josh Jobe #28 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the third quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Pro Football Focus grades each player throughout the season. Here’s a look at Clemson football’s highest-grading returners.

Pro Football Focus is a trusted group for talent analysis when it comes to both collegiate and professional football.

The group individually grades players throughout the season and gives them an overall rating based on their skill, attributes and performance on the field. As most would expect, the Clemson football program always has some of the highest-graders in the country.

Pro Football Focus released an article detailing the highest-grading Tigers returning for the 2019 season. Here’s a look at some of the top returners on both offense and defense, in terms of their overall grades.

Top Offensive Returners (Above 80):

  • Justyn Ross (91.4)
  • Trevor Lawrence (90.7)
  • Travis Etienne (90.1)
  • Tee Higgins (87.7)
  • Lyn-J Dixon (84.4)

It should be pointed out that Diondre Overton (74.8), Jackson Carman (73.2), Gage Cervenka (72.3), Sean Pollard (70.5) and Amari Rodgers (70.1) were all included in the grades, as well.

Justyn Ross was the top-graded returner offensively and for good reason. Ross constantly made plays and was able to just be bigger, stronger and faster than those who tried to defend him. Both Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne posted grades above 90, as well.

Top Defensive Returners (Above 80):

  • Isaiah Simmons (88.9)
  • Xavier Thomas (83.4)
  • Tanner Muse (82.5)
  • Denzel Johnson (80.5)
  • K’Von Wallace (80.4)
  • AJ Terrell (80.2)

Nyles Pinckney (79.7) and Nolan Turner (79.1) were also close to being over the 80 mark. Though the defense doesn’t return star-power like last season, there are still plenty of solid players filling out the unit. Isaiah Simmons is one of the best defenders in the country and Xavier Thomas will likely emerge as one of the top pass-rushers in the nation.

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Overall you can see the amount of talent that the Tigers return and expect for these grades to improve as many of these Clemson football players earn more playing time on the field and have an opportunity to settle into a greater role.

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