Clemson Football: DLU is back, deeper and better than ever
Clemson football will return “DLU” in Fall 2020 and it just might be the deepest and most talented version that we have ever seen, possibly in college football history.
We all know that Clemson football has produced a lot of defensive line talent over the history of the program. Going back nearly 40 years to William “Fridge” Perry and all the way through rising sophomore Tyler Davis, Clemson has quietly produced a lot of talent up front on the defensive line.
Looking at the 2020 version of “DLU” should make opposing offensive coordinators have nightmares as they look ahead.
In 2019, the defensive line was supposed to be the weak spot on the defense. While they were not as good as they had been with Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant, and Albert Huggins, they were anything but a weak spot.
Tyler Davis led the way and showed the promise of being the best defensive line product to ever don a Clemson football uniform and by the 15th game of the year was an absolute monster. He should be the ACC’s best in 2020.
When you look at the Tigers coming back, how can you not get excited? Nearly three thousand snaps return on just the defensive line alone. Tyler Davis, Justin Foster, Jordan Williams, Nyles Pinckney, Xavier Thomas, and K.J. Henry all took at least 350 snaps and all return.
Justin Mascoll and Darnell Jeffries both took at least 100 snaps and saw action in all 15 games last year as well. Despite the losses of Logan Rudolph and Xavier Kelly, who combined for 490 snaps (Rudolph had 403) those returning make this the deepest defensive line in the country.
But as we all know, it gets better. Here comes the freshman.
On paper, this is the best freshman class of defensive lineman that Clemson football has ever had. Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, Demonte Capehart, and Tre Williams are big and talented and will push for playing time in a room full of talent. While there are a few that will more than likely redshirt, Bresee and Murphy will not and they have the talent and work ethic to take playing time away from several of the Tiger vets in the room.
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DLU has reloaded and if you thought the Power Rangers were a lot of fun, just wait until you see what this next crop has.