Clemson Football: Tigers who are Heisman Hopefuls for 2023

Barrett Carter is a defensive darkhorse Heisman candidate for Clemson Football

The defensive candidate for Heisman is a unicorn. It rarely happens, and a defensive winner is even rarer.

I did consider this spot for a few guys. Nate Wiggins has charisma. If he had a mega-season he would win over the college football fans. Jeremiah Trotter is a stud and has found respect nationally.

I went with Carter here because he was a good dose of both. He has the personality. He is a tough guy but also has the freak athleticism that can get him on all the national highlights.

There is experience in front of the linebackers and behind them. Carter and Trotter could feast this season, and another part of the equation here is that it is hard for defenses to key in on two linebackers. One will likely be the focus and the other will have the opportunities.

Carter is good, but Trotter also has the name. The pedigree. His dad was a beast in the NFL and it just so happens most defensive coordinators are of the age that they probably couldn’t forget his name if they tried. I think they will have a conscious or subconscious tendency to plan against Trotter, which will benefit Carter.

It’s a definite long shot but it would be fun if it happened.