Clemson football: 3 biggest changes defense needs to make in 2021

Three biggest changes Clemson football needs to make on the defense in 2021

3. Use the ‘hybrids’ to your advantage

In a world where we’re starting to see the HUNH offense and offenses spreading the ball around quickly, the remedy for a defense is still being researched.

Clemson struggled mightily to slow down LSU in 2019 and Ohio State in 2020. Those offenses did an excellent job taking advantage of their strengths and exposing the Tigers’ weaknesses.

For a defense to compete with those types of offenses, they’ve got to get more speed on the field. The more speed you have at your disposal, the better chance you have at covering wide receivers. The problem, though, is that if all you have is speed and you don’t have the physicality element, it leaves you potentially exposed by tight ends and even running backs coming out of the backfield.

Could the answer to slowing down those attacks lie in the ‘hybrids?’

Trenton Simpson is freakish athlete. Barrett Carter is a freakish athlete. Malcolm Greene– who played some nickel last year– is a guy who is physical, but still has the speed to play outside if called upon.

Is there a way to have packages where you get Simpson and Carter on the field at the same time? Clemson has been working Carter at MIKE, just for what it’s worth.

Do you have a way to balance the physicality of Skalski and then put forth the athleticism of a Simpson or Carter to stop those attacks.

In the end, the key to slowing down these offenses is getting speed on the field. Clemson is starting to get enough of these ‘hybrid’ players who show a blend of athleticism and physicality to make a difference and we don’t think that’s by accident.