Clemson Football: Report says Xavier Thomas & others likely to opt out
Report says Clemson football could be without Xavier Ths for 2020 season
One report is indicating that the 2020 Clemson football team may see multiple opt-outs for the season, including DE Xavier Thomas.
Clemson football held its big weigh-in yesterday and had a few players not participate, none bigger of a name than DE Xavier Thomas, who was set to potentially be one of the breakout players of the year for the Tigers.
The Clemson Insider’s Robert Thorne MacRae later reported that sources had told TCI that Thomas was ‘on the verge of sitting out‘ and that he is “likely not the only Clemson football player who will elect to opt out.”
While the official word on Thomas and others who are considering opting out won’t be given until this evening when Dabo Swinney addresses the media following the team’s first practice, it’s not looking promising that the junior DE will suit up this season.
It’s next man for Clemson football if reports are true
In addition to Thomas, it should be noted that TE Sage Ennis, WR Ajou Ajou and WR Justyn Ross were all listed as ‘not available’ for the weigh-in.
First of all, we should go ahead and state that Tiger fans shouldn’t blame any player- or coach, for that matter- if they choose to sit out this season. No one knows what their personal situation is or what they’re going through.
That being said, if Thomas does elect to opt out, it will have to be a ‘next man up’ mentality for the Tiger defensive line.
Thomas was expected to be Clemson’s leading pass-rusher this season and losing him would be big, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent and skill behind him that will, ultimately, still make the Tigers one of the top pass-rushing units in the league.
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Clemson still has plenty of options with Justin Foster, K.J. Henry, Justin Mascoll and true freshman Myles Murphy on the roster. True-freshman Bryan Bresee could also move to the outside if needed. But it will be up to those guys to develop depth and to play at a high level.