Pair of Clemson edge defenders on 2023 NFL Draft watch
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
On a Clemson defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game in the FBS last season, the Tigers’ defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage game after game, and all of its starters are returning in 2022.
In all, Clemson’s defensive line combined for 25 sacks and 215 total tackles last season. With an offense that struggled last season, Clemson benefited from the line’s production that kept the team in many games.
Along with defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, there are players up and down the defensive front that have NFL potential, especially on the outside.
Here are the two Clemson edge defenders that are primed to raise their 2023 NFL Draft stock with another season of production, per Touchdown Wire.
Myles Murphy
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Murphy led the Tigers in sacks last season with seven, and he could have more in-store with a potential double-digit sack season in 2022. In Clemson’s spring game, Murphy had three sacks and often appeared to be unblockable. Most early mock drafts already have Murphy as a sure-fire first-round pick, so it should come as no surprise if he elevates to a top 10 pick by April.
Here’s what Touchdown Wire thinks of Thomas.
Myles Murphy ranked as the third-overall player in the 2020 recruiting class according to ESPN, and the second-best defensive end in the country. Murphy committed to Clemson in May of 2019, at his high school’s spring game, and stepped right onto the field for the Tigers during the 2020 campaign.
That season, Murphy recorded 51 tackles — including a team-high 12 for a loss — and four sacks. He was named the ACC Co-Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press. This past season, Murphy registered 43 tackles, against leading the Tigers with 14 tackles for a loss. He also led Clemson with seven sacks, recording two sacks against Florida State. He was named a Second-Team All-ACC selection at the end of the year.
Murphy is explosive off the edge. A prime example? This sack against Connecticut:
Another season like the past two, and we could be talking about a first-round selection next spring.
Xavier Thomas
Ken Ruinard / staff
Thomas comes into his fifth season with the Tigers with plenty of experience and savviness. He has 12.5 career sacks and 87 career total tackles. Although he hasn’t reproduced his freshman season statistics, it’s clear he still has the potential to be one of the most dominant edge rushers in the country.
Here’s what Touchdown Wire thinks of Thomas.
The Clemson Tigers have a few potential early-round picks along their defensive front, including Xavier Thomas. He was one of the top players in the nation during the 2018 recruiting cycle, and chose Clemson over a host of other top programs. Thomas stepped right onto the field for the Tigers in 2018, recording 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a true freshman. He was named a First-Team Freshman All-American by a number of outlets, including USA Today and ESPN.
Thomas was a Third-Team All-ACC selection at the end of his sophomore season in 2019, after recording 31 total tackles, a pair of sacks and eight tackles for a loss that year. He dealt with a COVID-19 diagnosis during the 2020 season and played in seven games, but managed 11 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in just 119 snaps.
He returned to Third-Team All-ACC status after a solid season in 2021, where he notched 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a team-high 17 quarterback pressures.
[mm-video type=video id=01g3f782rqq5m7ewbh7z playlist_id=01fvdd1xkgcx6zr5s5 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3f782rqq5m7ewbh7z/01g3f782rqq5m7ewbh7z-f400efb8f9ddb8d5760dce147698caac.jpg][listicle id=1675]
