Clemson can bounce back this year, but the Tigers have to play a certain way. As they usher in a new starting quarterback, it may be more important than ever for the defense to be sound at all levels. While Tom Allen's side of the ball has playmakers at each position group, we still may have somehow overlooked edge rusher Will Heldt, linebacker Sammy Brown, and cornerback Ashton Hampton a bit.
ESPN had Brown and Heldt as two of Clemson's three players to crack its top 100 coming into 2026. Brown led the way for the Tigers at No. 39. Heldt came next at No. 87, with offensive tackle Brayden Jacobs being the third Clemson player to make ESPN's top 100 at No. 91. Even if Hampton failed to make this list, he was probably one of the first players to not make the cut based on his draft upside.
Along with Heldt, Hampton was one of two Clemson players to make Jordan Reid's latest 2027 NFL mock draft for ESPN. He was the first Clemson player projected to be taken in the first round at No. 19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Heldt was the last player selected in this first-round mock draft by going to the Miami Dolphins at No. 32 overall. However you slice it, Allen's defense offers star power.
Simply put, we may be looking at three Clemson defensive players slated to be picked in the top 40.
Clemson's defense may have more high-end potency than we initially thought
Hampton and Heldt have athletic traits that talent evaluators love. Whether it is Hampton's 14 career passes defended or Heldt's 15.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, those skills should translate to the NFL level, beyond that of just Clemson. Maybe the only reason Brown did not crack the top 32 is because of the position he plays? Linebacker has been devalued. He still averages over eight tackles a game.
Frankly, Allen's first Clemson defense last year was dripping with talent, too. Defensive tackle Peter Woods, defensive end T.J. Parker, and cornerback Avieon Terrell were all top-50 picks. They came off a team that started the year out ranked fourth, only to finish 7-6. The good news is Brown, Hampton, and Heldt were part of last year's team. They saw firsthand where the disconnect might have been.
What this means is all three of them will have to emerge as leaders. Brown and Heldt were two of the three players to represent the team at ACC Media Days. Just because Hampton did not join them does not mean he is incapable of being one. He may have to do it in a different way by letting his play speak for itself. Of course, Clemson is counting on them to produce, especially when taking on LSU.
Truthfully, even if Clemson has a bright spot on each level of its defense, Allen still needs more players to step up on his side of the football. The defensive line is in rough shape. Dabo Swinney was quick to say last year's secondary was the worst he has coached at Clemson. Look for Hampton to take that to heart to make sure it does not happen again. He has too much pride for that to continue.
Let's just say when the going gets tough, Allen can easily look to these playmakers to answer the call.
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