The Clemson football defense is once again going to be in rebuilding mode after most of the back seven on defense has moved on.
This is nothing new for Clemson football defensive coordinator Brent Venables. For most of his time as the Tigers coordinator, he has had to rebuild, or in this case, reload parts of his defense. Being able to recruit at the level that Clemson does, makes it a little easier, though there is no substitution for live in-game action.
In 2020 for the Tigers, they are going to have to replace several NFL draft picks on defense as well as the couple seniors that they had to say goodbye to. The good news for the Tigers, they have some absolute studs coming in to provide depth and hope that they can step in right away and play some significant minutes.
Like we did Tuesday with the Clemson football offense, let’s take a look at the Tigers defense and whether they will be better or worse than they were in 2019.
There is no doubt that the Tigers are in a place where they reload and not rebuild. However, part of that reload process is establishing your starters, building depth, and getting everyone to a place where they know their role within the system and are executing as one unit.
During this process, there are going to be mistakes and times where they don’t look like they will halfway through the season.
Defensive Line – Better
- Key Losses: Logan Rudolph (retired), Xavier Kelly (transfer)
- Key Addition: Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, DeMonte Capehart
This is by far the deepest group that makes up the 2020 Clemson football roster; which is something given the depth that quarterback, running back and receiver all have.
No question that losing both Logan Rudolph to the limelight of Hollywood and Xavier Kelly to the SEC and the University of Arkansas but the Tigers bring everyone else back and add three of the best college-ready prospects in Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and DeMonte Capehart that they have ever had.
Building depth on the defensive line is going to be an easy but difficult process for defensive line coach Todd Bates. Easy because they are the most talented group in the country but difficult because there are so many of them.
Having the like of Tyler Davis, Justin Mascoll, Nyles Pickney, Jordan Williams, Darnell Jefferies, Xavier Thomas, and K.J. Henry all coming back in 2020, should give Tiger fans something to smile ear to ear about.
Linebackers – Worse
- Key Losses: Isaiah Simmons (NFL), Chad Smith (eligibility)
- Key Additions: Kevin Swint, Sergio Allen, Trenton Simpson
Before you get all in your feelings about stating this group would be worse than in 2019, by no means am I stating that they will be terrible.
When you lose talent like Isaiah Simmons and a fifth-year senior like Chad Smith, you lose a lot of leadership and experience. Regardless of who you bring in, they aren’t going to replace those two, it is simply impossible.
All three incoming linebackers are ridiculously talented and Trenton Simpson is going to remind Clemson football fans of Simmons in a couple of years but they still have to earn their battle stripes in 2020. The defensive line is going to be good enough to let these guys get comfortable and grow early in the season.
Getting a fifth-year senior like James Skalski back in 2020 is something that has flown under the radar as well. Skalski will probably fall in line with many other former Tiger linebackers and not have an NFL career despite being a very good college player, so expect him to have an elite year to end his career on a high note.
Secondary – Worse
- Key Losses: A.J. Terrell (NFL), Tanner Muse (NFL), K’Von Wallace (NFL), Denzel Johnson (eligibility)
- Key Additions: Fred Davis II, Malcolm Greene, R.J. Mickens, Tyler Venables
Again, as we said with the linebacker, by no means are we saying the Tigers are talentless in this area, they are just inexperienced. At corner, Deion Kendrick will lead the Tigers, and Nolan Turner will do the same at safety.
Kendrick is going to be one of the best shut down corners in the country in 2020, so whoever wins the job opposite of him is going to get tested early and often. Fred Davis II, Malcolm Greene, Andrew Booth Jr. LeAnthony Williams, Sheridan Jones, and Mario Goodrich are all going to get their chance at showing they can play and lockup the other positions.
While this group is young, there are no seniors, and only Kendrick, Williams, and Goodrich are juniors among the corners. Turner is the only senior among the safeties and there are no scholarship juniors. There are eight safeties that are freshmen or sophomores.
Again, very talented but very young and inexperienced heading into 2020.
We all know that Clemson football defensive coordinator in conjunction with the rest of the defensive staff gets the best out of their players and will do so again in 2020. The defensive line will carry this team early but if the Tigers are going to roll in 2020 and win their third title in five years the back seven are going to have find who they are sooner than later.
History has told us that they will do just that.