Clemson Football: Three questions about the defensive line

Do the veterans hold the starting positions for Clemson Football?

Through much of the spring, Tiger Nation was teased by several players that they might be opting to return in 2023 instead of testing the waters of the NFL. Some of those players were simply teasing, but others did surprise us and come back for one more season of Clemson Football.

Perhaps the biggest relief was the return of Davis, who is a proven tackle who has been starting for years. You can see the difference in the effectiveness of the line when Davis is hurt and not in the game, which has happened a few times. The decision by Orhorhoro to stick around was very welcome as well.

At the end position, Mascoll returns, and while he hasn’t started a lot of games, he is a veteran who has a lot of experience. The biggest wildcard returning is Thomas, the 5-star recruit that flashed early in his career but has also run into the injury and illness barrier.

The question with Davis and Thomas is about their health. Will they be able to play all or most of the season? The question with Mascoll and Orhorhoro is their ceiling. They have a high floor, but how high can they elevate their game? Will they be able to hold off players behind them on the depth chart?

There are several young and talented players at the end position, such as Parker, but they will need time to develop. There are more experienced players at tackle, like Page, Capehart, and Williams.

Then there’s that name that you keep hearing….