Clemson Football: Players hint at returns, but no announcements yet

Clemson Football has been preparing for an exodus from their defensive line unit since last spring. The staff emphasized recruiting high school defensive line prospects with the expectation that several players on the 2022 roster could be leaving after the season.

A couple of those players have announced plans to go pro. Guys like Tyler Davis, Brian Bresee, KJ Henry, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Justin Mascoll haven’t given us a public decision yet.

Several players met with the media Wednesday morning, and while there were no firm decisions announced, they did hint that returns are still possible.

Davis was a candidate to enter the NFL after the 2021 season, so I am surprised that he is still debating the choice. It appears that some of his decision might be a negotiation.

Bresee is a different situation. This is the first time he is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft. He will likely be a first-round pick. He has had a difficult junior season, coping with the passing of his sister and multiple illnesses.

Bresee says he is feeling better now.

I can see how this decision could be difficult for Bresee. Now that he is feeling better, he has a good opportunity to test well at the NFL combine and his pro day. Good performances in those environments could ease any concerns that NFL scouts had about his uneven performance in 2022.

On the other hand, Bresee could feel like his final season of college ball was taken from him. That might serve as a motivation to return for one more year.

KJ Henry is perhaps the biggest teaser of the whole bunch.

Henry also had this to say:

"“It’s been fun just seeing some of the guys around me and then just knowing that there’s a great group coming back and I could be a part of that. I’ve been elbowing some of these guys around here. I know Coach Swinney been teasing, but we got some decisions to make. If everybody on our offense we’re the swing this thing back and a lot of the guys who’s supposed to go back, go out on the defense, would’ve come out or come back. It could be a very special year next year. So we’ll see.”"

Clemson Football will need decisions from these players soon, but they should take the time to make the right decision for them

As a fan, I want to know what these guys are going to do in 2023. It’s exciting to think some of them might return. It sounds like a few of them have made up their minds but haven’t announced it publicly. It sounds like a few more haven’t made a decision.

As much as I want to know what to expect for 2023, guys like Davis, Bresee, and Henry have earned the right to take their time. I’m sure the staff would like to know if they are using their scholarships again, but the last thing they would want is for someone to rush their decision and make a mistake.

Like many fans, I don’t always enjoy having to be patient, but I think I can wait a little bit longer.