Coming out of the bye week, Clemson released its latest depth chart. While you can peruse it any way you want, seeing whose names are in bold --as well as those who are not-- are certainly telling along the defensive line. Although Andy Burburija and Amare Adams remain starters, so are Darien Mayo and Champ Thompson now. Vic Burley is buried behind Burburija, Mayo, and Devarrick Woods as well.
Entering the season, Clemson's defensive line was widely seen as the team's weakest unit across the board. Heading into the second half of the campaign, it honestly is not that much better. While the offensive line has been Clemson's biggest disappointment so far, at least the guys playing defensive line are giving it their all. However, Burley continues to be a total non-factor in all of this for the Tigers.
The good news is Mayo has clearly joined the trio of Adams, Burburija, and Thompson as the fourth cornerstone of this MASH unit. With Clemson not playing any world beaters the rest of the way, this may allow for the Tigers' weakest position group to come together in the second half. If the defensive line improves, so too could the entire defense. That is what happens when you elevate the constraint.
Depth charts aren't everything, but Mayo and Thompson becoming co-starters with Andy Burburija and Amare Adams feels notable coming off a week where Clemson really dug in/evaluated its personnel. Mayo and Thompson started vs. Miami, too https://t.co/ONWuDHIDm1
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 13, 2026
Dabo Swinney is more than willing to roll with The Other Guys on defense
Rather than belabor the point of Burley disappointing largely everyone once again, let us try to be positive and commend the stellar first halves Adams, Burburija, Mayo, and Thompson have all had mostly without him. Burburija and Mayo lead the way with nine combined tackles over five games. Burburija has a sack. Thompson has half of one. He and Mayo lead the way with two pass breakups.
Even if these guys are not playing positions where stats are regularly accumulated, they are still being productive. In three games with the Tigers, Burley has a fumble recovery versus North Carolina, and that is it. Even Devarrick Woods, who has missed one game due to injury, has been more productive. He has four combined tackles and half a sack for his efforts on the campaign. Not bad for a transfer.
Overall, this latest depth chart put forth by Clemson sends everyone in the ACC a message. Dabo Swinney is more than willing to roll with the guys he has got. This unheralded unit has not been gang busters by any means, but most of these players show up every game, no matter the opponent. This could be seen as a motivation tactic to get the most out of Burley, but this is more about the others.
The only other major takeaways from Clemson's post-bye depth chart on defense are Donovan Starr is the starting TIGER with Corian Gipson out for the season, as well as Ronan Hanafin being listed as a co-starter at ROVER behind Corey Myrick and free safety behind Jerome Carter III. Clearly, Hanafin, Staff, Mayo and Thompson are the players who will decide how good this Clemson defense can be.
For Clemson to win upwards of 10 games this year, the other guys on defense will have to show up.
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