Every good defense needs a solid foundation. In recent years, that foundation has come from the defensive line for Clemson. The 2019 squad saw a changing of the guard as a new set of starters took over for the four that left for the NFL. It was clear that the 2019 Clemson defensive line was much different than 2018, but the 2020 cast is going to feature some familiar faces and new talent.
Clemson Defensive Line Looks To Improve In 2020
Stuffing The Middle
The defensive tackle position was held down by the veteran Nyles Pinkney and highly energetic freshman Tyler Davis in 2019. These two are reliable when it comes to stuffing inside runs. Where they fell short was getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. Look for that to change in the 2020 season. Jordan Williams and Darnell Jefferies served as understudies to Davis and Pinkney in 2019. With Pinkney gone, one of these must step up opposite Davis. Currently, Williams has starter status with Jefferies behind. Both saw some significant playing time, garnering worthy experience.
As with most years, highly-touted recruits are coming into the position room. Three recruits will be coming in and fighting for immediate playing time. This includes the number one recruit, Bryan Bresee. Four-star recruits Demonte Capehart and Tre Williams will accompany Bresee in vying for playing time. Out of the three recruits, expect to see Bresee as the one who makes any kind of impact this coming season. He will most likely see a lot of time as a back up serving when the game is out of hand until he proves he can fulfill his potential.
Setting the Edge
Clemson has traditionally had stars on the end of the defensive line. Xavier Thomas served as that lead last year as the strong side defensive end. Thomas has decided to take a redshirt year due to the lingering implications of having COVID-19. Expect K.J. Henry to fill in for Thomas after taking a redshirt season of his own in 2018. Henry has the talent to have a phenomenal breakout season while competing for playing time with Justin Mascoll and five-star recruit Myles Murphy. This rotation might minimize individual recognition but will cause many headaches for opposing offenses.
Playing the opposite of a strong group of ends will be a seasoned veteran in Justin Foster. With talents like Henry and Murphy, opposing offenses will not gameplan to avoid Foster. Expect Foster to be a dominant run stopper that will take advantage of the gameplans of opposing teams. Also, Murphy will make the jump from the strong side to the weak side from time to time. It is difficult to tell exactly where these talented athletes will be playing throughout the year with Brent Venables’ schemes. The one guarantee from this group is that they will dominate in the run game and improve the pass-rushing numbers from last year.
What to Expect
Clemson’s defensive line will look different during the 2020 season as it did during 2019. Between Davis, Jefferies, and Williams, there are plenty of opportunities to make plays. Watch out for Bresee as he has high expectations to compete for playing time early. The absence of Thomas leaves a hole on the edge, but Henry should fill in just fine. Murphy and Foster will combine to hold down the other side of the line and making much more noise in the passing game.
