5 Clemson Football players who could win awards in 2024
By John Chancey
![Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) after the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, Friday, December 29, 2023. Clemson won 38-35. Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) after the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, Friday, December 29, 2023. Clemson won 38-35.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3472,h_1953,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/293/01j2bnaj51n9mk80qp4y.jpg)
Late July is the typical time we start to see the college football award committees releasing their watchlists for the new season.
Clemson Football should expect upwards of a dozen or more players to be included on at least one of these watchlists this year.
It’s a special thing for an individual to win one of these awards, but the Tigers have some players capable of pulling it off.
Here are five players who could win individual awards in 2024.
Barrett Carter
Carter’s return to Clemson for his final season of eligibility was a bit of a surprise. At this time last year, both he and Jeremiah Trotter were expected to leave early for the NFL.
Carter decided he wanted to improve his draft stock by returning for his senior season. He played with a chip on his shoulder in the Gator Bowl. If he can channel that kind of effort into an entire season, 2024 could be special for Carter.
Carter will join with RJ Mickens and some veterans up front to form a nucleus of leadership this season on defense. Carter doesn’t play middle linebacker like some recent team leaders like Ben Boulware or James Skalski, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be the motivator that holds guys accountable.
Possible awards: Bednarik Award (defensive players), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive players), Butkus Award (linebackers)