The Clemson football defensive line has a chance to be special during the 2020 season and one of the major reasons is the depth at defensive end.
The Clemson football defensive end group returns a ton of major pieces and has an opportunity to be special during the 2020 season.
The defensive ends have experience, depth and plenty of talent to be one of the nastiest groups of pass-rushers in the country.
Here’s a look at our post-spring analysis and depth chart projection for the Clemson football defensive ends.
Post-Spring Depth Chart Projection:
DE- Xavier Thomas
DE- Justin Foster or K.J. Henry
- Myles Murphy
Post-Spring Analysis:
This defensive end group has plenty of talent and we’re going to see them have a big-time year when the season comes around.
Xavier Thomas is playing at a lighter weight and is looking to get that extra step of explosiveness that he had during his freshman campaign. All accounts say that he had a great spring and is on his way to locking up that starter role and becoming a legitimate contender for an All-American spot before it’s all said and done.
Two veterans- Justin Foster and K.J Henry- will continue to battle for reps at the other defensive end spot. Look for them to remain as co-starters and to see a split in playing time at the position.
Justin Mascoll had a nice spring and he’s a guy that most aren’t talking about. Though he’s not necessarily competing for a starting spot, he’s going to be a key depth piece and will have an opportunity to play a ton of snaps this season.
Lastly, there’s true-freshman Myles Murphy. Murphy is taller and looks bigger than the rest of the defensive ends. You’re not going to keep that monster off the field and that’s why he’s listed at both spots.
The coaching staff will look to rotate him in quite a bit during the season and there’s plenty of reason to believe that Murphy could compete for legitimate reps as the season progresses.