Clemson football: Three impact opposing players who have opted-out

So far, Clemson football has had no player’s opt-out, the same cannot be said for several opponents.

More than 60 college football players have opted, none so far have been from Clemson football itself. Matter of fact, dozens of Tigers took to social media this weekend to let everyone know that they want to play and are hoping that their voices are heard by people in suits making decisions.

There is a lot of unknown going on around us and while everyone thinks that they have the right answer, there is no single uniform answer that works for every player, every coach, or every program. Everyone has to do what is best for them and their situation and judgments should be withheld as those personalized decisions are made.

With the 2020 Clemson football schedule completely being revamped and teams like Miami, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech being added to the schedule, there are impact players at those programs that have decided to sit out in 2020.

Here are the top three impact players from opposing programs that have opted out.

1. Gregory Rousseau – Miami

Gregory Rousseau is the top draft-eligible pass rusher in 2020 and his loss is huge for Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes.

The matchup between him and Clemson football left tackle Jackson Carman would have been one of the best college football battles all year and something NFL scouts, general managers, and coaches would have paid a lot of attention to.

While the Hurricanes still have another first-round pass rusher in Quincy Roche on the roster, losing Rousseau is a huge loss for the Hurricanes as they look for a much better year two under Diaz.

2. Caleb Farley – Virginia Tech

The best cornerback in college football has decided to opt-out and make himself available for the 2021 NFL draft. Justin Fuente is lucky to have upperclassman depth at corner but losing a player the caliber of Caleb Farley is not someone that you easily replace.

This is also a tough blow for first-year defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton who is having to replace Hokies legend Bud Foster after Foster retired at the end of 2019. The loss of Farley won’t make the transition any easier for Hamilton.

Virginia Tech will face the five best quarterbacks the ACC has to offer in 2020 – Trevor Lawrence, Sam Howell, Chase Brice, Kenny Pickett, and D’Eriq King. The Virginia Tech secondary will be tested early and often in 2020.

3. Jaylen Twyman – Pittsburgh

Abruptly losing a three-year starter who also happens to be an All-ACC and All-American selection would be tough for anyone.

Jaylen Twyman was supposed to anchor one of the best defensive line groups in the country. While the Pitt defensive line still features several experienced upperclassmen with loads of experience, losing your leader can change the chemistry of the entire group.

The Clemson and Pitt matchup is going to be a litmus test for the Clemson football offensive line late in the season and will give the coaching staff an idea of how ready they are for the College Football Playoff in 2020. That test just got a little easier for the Tigers.