Clemson Football: 5 X-factors for the 2019 season

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: The Clemson Tigers link arms and walk toward their end zone for their traditional "face off" prior to their football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

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WINSTON SALEM, NC – OCTOBER 06: Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a defensive play against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on October 6, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4. Xavier Thomas

Xavier Thomas is a guy that is widely-discussed, but no one really understands the magnitude of impact he’ll have on the 2019 season.

Thomas was a key reserve as a freshman, but he’s stepping into a completely different role in 2019.

Thomas will be relied upon not just to be a starter, but to be the sack leader on Clemson’s defense. That’s a huge step.

He’s more than capable of making the jump, but it’s clear that Thomas’s production will be an X-Factor for the Tigers defensively and seeing how the unit functions with the losses of many talented defensive linemen to the NFL.

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