The Clemson football defensive tackle position will look a lot different in 2019 compared to what it has looked in the past few seasons.
At this point last season, we were talking about how the Clemson football defensive tackle group was the best in the country and could be the best in program history.
With Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence leading the way, and Albert Huggins following closely behind, the Tigers had a dominant interior defensive line that absolutely could overpower and out-technique their opponents.
As we head into the 2019 Clemson football season, the Tigers no longer have Wilkins, Lawrence or Huggins on the roster. All three of the talented defensive tackles have moved on to the NFL and are beginning to make splashes in preseason training camp.
How will Clemson look to replace what may very well have been the best defensive tackle duo to ever play in program history? Here’s a look at our positional preview for the 2019 season.
Projected Depth Chart
Starter: Nyles Pinckney
- Xavier Kelly
- Darnell Jefferies
Starter: Jordan Williams
- Tyler Davis
Defensive Tackles Preview:
The good news for Clemson football fans is that all is not lost when it comes to the defensive tackles.
Both Nyles Pinckney and Jordan Williams have quality experience and now they will be tasked with stepping into starter roles. The two were both highly-recruited out of high school and there’s no reason to expect that they’ll struggle dealing with opposing offensive lines.
This is still one of the top defensive tackle combinations not just in the ACC, but in the nation. These two guys have grown up together and they’re going to have great chemistry, as well as a chip on their shoulder heading into this season.
Behind Pinckney and Williams, there is not much experience.
Xavier Kelly certainly looks the part as he is up to 302 pounds. When Kelly first entered the program, he weighed 265. Kelly will be tasked with playing a major role likely as a second-string defensive tackle.
Also in the second-string will be true-freshman Tyler Davis. Davis may actually push Williams for the starter role as we progress into the season. He had one of the best spring camps out of any player overall and will be looking to build on that in fall camp.
These four guys will get the majority of snaps and will likely be placed in a rotation together. Behind them, Darnell Jefferies likely could get some playing time down the stretch, as well as a true-freshman or two out of the group of Tayquon Johnson, Logan Cash, Ruke Orhorhoro and Etinosa Reuben.
Out of that group, I like Tayquon Johnson- who came in weighing 310 pounds- as the most-ready to contribute.