Clemson Football: How does Bryan Bresee factor into 2020 depth chart?

The Clemson football defensive line is one of the deepest in the country. How could 5-star DL Bryan Bresee factor into the depth chart?

The Clemson football team has one of the deepest defensive lines in the country heading into the 2020 season.

That’s a stark contrast for a program that was looking to replace four starters off of the 2018 team a year ago. Now, there’s talent, depth and experience on that front-four and there’s reason to believe that this group could be just as good- maybe even better- than that 2018 group that saw three players get drafted in the first-round.

One of the most interesting players on that defensive line is true-freshman Bryan Bresee.

Bresee, a 5-star DL, was ranked as the No. 1 player in the nation and has been compared to the likes of J.J. Watt for his versatile ability.

How could the true-freshman factor into the depth chart in 2020? Well, the Tigers could use him several different ways, but one thing’s for sure: He’s going to get on the field.

As we head into the spring, it’d be my expectation that Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry and Justin Foster are the three guys who take the most snaps with the first-team at defensive end. I expect that Tyler Davis, Nyles Pinckney and Jordan Williams will be the three defensive tackles who get the most snaps with the first-team.

Outside of that group of six players, Clemson will have Darnell Jefferies, Ruke Orhorhoro and a few other young players at defensive tackle. They’ll also have Justin Mascoll and true-freshman Myles Murphy at defensive end.

If I were guessing about the depth chart, I would think that we see Bresee line up as a second-teamer at defensive tackle. He’ll rotate in with Jefferies and Orhorhoro and will likely earn his snap total up from there.

Clemson will also likely have a package at some point to use Bresee on the edge. Perhaps this would be in a situation where they wanted more size on the field. Brent Venables has also been known for mixing things up and could play to the strength of this defensive line by adding another spot and playing a 5-2 at select times during the season.

Either way you look at it, Bresee is going to see playing time and he’s going to make an impact. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff chooses to use the talented freshman and what creative ways they use to get him on the field.