5 Most glaring Clemson needs coming out of the transfer portal

Clemson Football might say they are comfortable with the roster they have now, but new voices like Matt Luke or Chris Rumph or veterans like Garrett Riley or Mike Reed might feel differently after they go through spring practices.

Dec 29, 2023; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney runs on the field / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

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Defensive end is thin

The other position that seemed like a no-brainer for a transfer take was defensive end. You need two. Clemson knows they have one.

TJ Parker was every bit as good as fans could have hoped in 2023. Park formed a solid triumvirate at the position with Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll.

The problem for 2024 is that Thomas and Mascoll have exhausted their eligibility. There are players who could step up to take the spot opposite Parker: Cade Denhoff, Jaheim Lawson, AJ Hofler, and Zaire Patterson. None of those players have proven themselves on the field of play yet. Denhoff got the most snaps of that group, and it seems the consensus is he was okay. Just okay.

The Tigers do welcome two freshmen defensive ends, including 4-star Darien Mayo. It is entirely possible that the staff thinks they will have someone who will emerge in the spring.

It is also entirely possible that the staff is basing their comfort level solely on quantity and not quality.

Just as it is possible that the new voice from Matt Luke could speak up and challenge the notion that the offensive line room is fine as is, it is also very possible that new defensive end coach Chris Rumph could sound an alarm after spring as well.

Next: Cornerback is top-heavy

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