Taking a look ahead to when Clemson takes the field for the first time in 2023, to face the Duke Blue Devils, what will we feel like is a sure thing for this defense? What is something that we will have no worries about on the defensive side of the ball?
The answer? Linebackers. Clemson is returning two preseason All-Americans in Jeremiah Trotter Jr as well as Barrett Carter. Pairing up with this duo is sophomore Wade Woodaz. Woodaz saw playing time in 14 games where he played 180 snaps and totaled 20 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and 2 sacks. Woodaz is poised to have a big year playing with Trotter Jr and Carter.
Let’s not get it mixed up, this defense will be extremely talented at every level with plenty of veterans mixed in with some very talented youngsters. All of that being said, this may be the best group of linebackers that we have seen at Clemson in a very long time.
In 2022 Jeremiah Trotter Jr led the team in tackles and tackles for loss, while tying for the team lead in sacks at 6.5. Trotter is your prototypical linebacker in size and stature, good in the box, can cover tight ends and not be a total liability and has complete command over this defense. Barrett Carter was a fourth-team All-American last season, had 77 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and added in 5.5 sacks. Carter is a big hitting linebacker who also has no problem in the box, and certainly not in coverage. His mobility is one of his strong suits for sure, and you could line him up at SAM linebacker, or throw him over to nickel.
Not only are these linebackers extremely talented, and have a lot of playing experience, but the biggest upside for this group is that they are all very good at playing in space. You won’t see many missed tackles, missed assignments, or blunders from this group.
Yes, they will benefit from playing behind a great defensive line and having a cleaner box to work with, but the defensive line will have the same benefit of having great linebackers behind them.
This defense will once again be the strength of the team and I fully expect the linebackers to not only be the strength of the defense but also the strength of the team. Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr will most likely be a combo of first, or second-team All-Americans this year and you could very easily see them, and Woodaz be first-team all-ACC for each linebacker position.
But we all know how good the starters will be for this group, how about the depth? T.J. Dudley has the body and play style to be a very good linebacker for a very good time and I think we will see him take a big step forward this year in a backup role. Kobe McCloud will likely be slotted as the backup at the will linebacker position and is also another young player who will benefit from seeing more playing time in a backup role and having another year to sit behind Carter and learn what it takes to be dominant at this level. And finally the backup at SAM, true freshman Khalil Barnes. We got a flash of what he can do in the spring game, and the future is very bright for this guy. He flies around the field and loves to be a very physical, and hard-hitting player.
Clemson fans will have a blast watching this group of linebackers on the field at the same time and we need to enjoy every minute of it.
