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Clemson football: Preseason depth chart shows major competition on defense

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 3, 2020; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables communicates with players in the Virginia game during the fourth quarter of the game on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORKNcaa Football Virginia At Clemson
Oct 3, 2020; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables communicates with players in the Virginia game during the fourth quarter of the game on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORKNcaa Football Virginia At Clemson /
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The Clemson football team will begin practice for fall camp this Friday and there are plenty of intriguing storylines as we get ready for what is hoped to be an exciting year.

When looking at the preseason depth chart getting ready for the start of fall camp, there is one noticeable quality pertaining to the Clemson football defense: There are a lot of ‘ORs.’ 

Here’s what we are talking about just looking at the listed starters with ‘ors’ on the depth chart line:

  • DE: Myles Murphy or Xavier Thomas or KJ Henry
  • DE: Justin Foster or Justin Mascoll or Xavier Thomas
  • SLB/NB: Trenton Simpson or Malcolm Greene or Tyler Venables or Barrett Carter
  • CB: Fred Davis* or Mario Goodrich or Malcolm Greene
  • CB: Andrew Booth Jr. or Mario Goodrich or Malcolm Greene
  • SS: Lannden Zanders or Nolan Turner
  • FS: Nolan Turner or Joseph Charleston

*While nothing has been officially said, there is an expectation that Fred Davis will not be available for the 2021 opener*

The competition across the defense for Clemson football is going to be fierce

One thing we know about Brent Venables is that he’s never liked depth charts and he’s said as much in press-conferences and interviews previously.

That being said, this depth chart picture gives us a glimpse into what we should expect for fall camp: Tons of competition.

Clemson is going to have one of its deepest defensive units in recent history this season, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be starters emerge as we prepare for the upcoming season.

The Tigers have five defensive ends that they trust to be a starter. They’ve got an intriguing battle brewing at that SLB/Nickel spot, which will likely be a committee approach based off the scheme week-to-week, and there are plenty of questions when it comes to cornerback, especially since Fred Davis will likely be missing some time this season.

No matter how you look at it, competition abounds and it’s going to be fun to see how things shape out over the course of this month as we approach the season-opener against Georgia.

Next. Clemson will continue to be the thorn in the side of the SEC. dark

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