Position-by-position look at Clemson's defense, special teams for 2022
Clemson's defense might be as good in 2022 as it was in 2021.
And that's a high bar to reach.
The Tigers ranked ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring (to national champion Georgia) and No. 8 in yardage. They lose some key veterans and a top NFL talent. But football games are won at the line of scrimmage, and that's where Clemson could have one of its best in program history.
Here's a look at how things look on defense and special teams:
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Returning: Bryan Bresee – 4 games (all starts), 154 snaps, 3 tackles for loss; Myles Murphy – 13 games (10 starts), 549 snaps, 14 TFL, 7 sacks, 12 QB pressures. Tyler Davis – 9 games (8 starts), 321 snaps. Xavier Thomas – 12 games (10 starts), 74 snaps, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 17 QBP. K.J. Henry – 13 games (4 starts), 339 snaps, 6.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 8 QBP. Ruke Orhorhoro – 11 games (6 starts), 504 snaps, 8 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 4 QBP. Justin Mascoll – 11 games (2 starts), 204 snaps, 5 QBP. Payton Page – 12 games, 76 snaps. Etinosa Reuben – 12 games, 213 snaps, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 7 QBP. Tre Williams – 11 games (1 start), 243 snaps. DeMonte Capehart – 5 games, 20 snaps.
Departing: Justin Foster – 4 games, 93 snaps. Darnell Jefferies (transfer) – 6 games, 24 snaps.
Arriving: None
This would have been a strong group even if three of Clemson’s defensive linemen had decided to turn pro. Henry’s announcement to wait for next year’s draft was soon followed by Thomas and then verification that Davis would stay, too.
What it all means is that Clemson should have one of the best defensive fronts in the country.
There could be half a dozen future NFL players suiting up for the Tigers, and it will bring comparisons to the 2018 national championship season, after which three Clemson defensive linemen went in the first round and another in the fourth. Murphy at end and Bresee at tackle could both jump early to the pros following their junior seasons. On the edges, the Tigers will have Murphy, Henry, Mascoll and pass-rush monster Xavier Thomas. Inside will be Bresee, Davis, Orhorhoro, Reuben and Page. Clemson’s talented linemen will allow newcomers behind to have a larger margin of error as they get adjusted. There will be at least five new starters at linebacker and defensive back.
Linebacker: Clemson loses veteran leaders
Returning: Trenton Simpson – 13 games (12 starts), 556 snaps, 78 tackles. Barrett Carter – 13 games (1 start), 179 snaps, 25 tackles. Lavonta Bentley – 11 games (2 starts), 171 snaps. Keith Maguire – 13 games, 99 snaps. Jeremiah Trotter – 13 games, 59 snaps, 22 tackles.
Departing: James Skalski – 13 games (all starts), 698 snaps, 100 tackles, Baylon Spector – 11 games (10 starts), 593 snaps, 85 tackles, 4.5 TFL. Jake Venables – 5 games, 31 snaps. Kane Patterson (transfer) – 12 games, 43 snaps.
Arriving: Wade Woodaz
It’s difficult to imagine Clemson without Skalski. He had been there since 2016 and in later years became the vocal leader — a coach on the field — in the middle of the Tigers’ defense. They lose a great deal with Skalski and Spector running out of eligibility. They had nearly 1,300 snaps last season and played through injuries.
Simpson, who became a starter last season as a sophomore, graded out as the third-best linebacker in the ACC, according to Pro Football Focus. He will play on the outside with his ability to rush the quarterback or drop into pass coverage. On the other side and in the middle, it will be interesting to see which players emerge in spring practice.
Bentley and Carter managed to get at least 170 snaps when there weren’t that many left to share because of Skalski and Spector. Bentley moved past Patterson, who transferred to Vanderbilt. The wild card might be Trotter, who showed his potential in limited action as a freshman. Considered the No. 1 linebacker in the country upon his arrival, Trotter made tackles on 37 percent of his snaps.
Defensive back: Clemson needs three starters
Returning: Andrew Mukuba – 13 games (10 starts), 576 snaps, 54 tackles. Sheridan Jones – 13 games (3 starts), 415 snaps, 24 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception. R.J. Mickens – 13 games (2 starts), 337 snaps, 2 interceptions. Jalyn Phillips – 12 games (6 starts), 357 snaps, 47 tackles. Malcom Greene – 10 games, 181 snaps. Fred Davis – 9 games, 137 snaps. Nate Wiggins – 11 games, 130 snaps. Lannden Zanders – 1 game, 5 snaps.
Departing: Andrew Booth Jr. – 11 games (all starts), 561 snaps, 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptionss. Notan Turner – 10 games (all starts), 608 snaps, 69 tackles, 1 interception. Mario Goodrich – 12 games (all starts), 561 snaps, 48 tackles, 9 PBU, 2 interceptions.
Arriving: Jaedyn Lukus (early enrollee), Toriano Pride (early enrollee), Sherrod Covil (early enrollee)
Here’s where it gets dicey on Clemson’s defense.
The Tigers lose both starting cornerbacks in Booth and Goodrich. Booth is an early entry for the NFL draft and could be a first-round pick. Goodrich played himself into being a possible pro as well and was MVP of Clemson’s Cheez-it Bowl victory against Iowa State. Turner, a classic overachiever, was as reliable as they come on the back row. He was a veteran leader similar to Skalski and had also been there since 2016.
Clemson does have replacement-level talent if everything comes together properly. Jones figures to take over Booth’s spot and have a solid backup in Greene. On the other corner will be Wiggins and Davis. Phillips is in a key spot for Turner at free safety. Mukuba was outstanding in his freshman season at strong safety but Mickens, as a sophomore, was able to get two starts in that position. Clemson will welcome back Zanders, a safety who barely got on the field last season before being shut down by injury.
Special teams: B.T. Potter among ACC’s best kickers
Returning: K B.T. Potter (starter) – 21-26 FG (long 51), 38-38 PAT. P/K Aidan Swanson, K Jonathan Weitz, H Drew Swinney, LS Holden Caspersen, PR Will Taylor (starter until injured), KOR Will Shipley (starter).
Departing: P Will Spiers (starter) – 41.5 avg., H Will Swinney (starter), LS Jack Maddox (starter), PR Will Brown (starter)
Arriving: K Robert Gunn (early enrollee), P Jackson Smith (early enrollee)
Don’t underestimate the importance of Potter returning for a fifth year of eligibility and not testing NFL waters. He is no worse than the second-best kicker in the ACC. Nick Sciba of Wake Forest was 23-for-25 on field goals. Potter, combined with a strong defense, gave Clemson a chance when the offense was sputtering early in the season. He was crucial in close wins and kicked four field goals to beat Boston College, 19-13.
Clemson lost its punter in Spiers, long-snapper Maddox and place-kick holder in Will Swinney. There will be another Swinney, Drew, holding this season. Caspersen will get his shot as the snapper. Swanson can kick and punt, so he’ll get a shot to replace Spiers. But signee Smith might just win the job in spring. Potter will be a perfect mentor for Gunn, another talented freshman.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Position-by-position look at Clemson's defense, special teams for 2022
