Next week brings the next stage to Clemson football’s summer: Clemson Media Day. It will be the first time that the outside world will be able to hear from Clemson coaches and players with regards to the 2024/2025 season.
With it being the first time hearing about the squad comes questions, as the team went into the offseason with many players leaving for the transfer portal, NFL Draft or simply being out of eligibility.
So, what are the questions?
In regards to the Clemson defense, here are five questions about Wes Goodwin’s side regarding the 2024/2025 season.
1. Who will be the third linebacker playing with Carter and Woodaz?
One of the biggest losses on the defensive side of the ball was linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who left the Tigers to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. With that, one of the linebacker spots is open for the taking for the linebacker group.
Two spots are cemented for Week 1, barring any injuries, with returning starters, Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz, locking up two of the three spots that fit Goodwin’s system. There are many different ways that the Tigers can go with this position.
The expected Week 1 starter, and the man who got the start against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, is Kobe McCloud. The redshirt sophomore saw two starts last season and recorded 17 total tackles.
Jamal Anderson is another name who wouldn’t be surprising to see in the starting spot. The sophomore scored a pick-6 in Clemson’s spring game in April, snatching an attempted pass from Christopher Vizzina and taking it back 24 yards. The Atlanta native played in all 13 games for the Tigers last season, recording six tackles.
The heir to the throne, presumably, is incoming freshman Sammy Brown, who joined the team in January as a mid-year enrollee. Rated the best inside linebacker from the 2024 class, many believe that it is only a matter of time before Brown receives the starting job alongside Woodaz and Carter.
It’s an embarrassment of riches for Goodwin, who has a tough choice to make ahead of August 31. However, with the performances that the three have shown throughout their young careers, all could be able to do the job.
2. Who is going to be the next freshman standout from this group?
The story of Clemson’s defense last season was the amount of freshmen that ended up as starters at the end of the season. Although we knew players like Peter Woods would emerge in their freshman season, names like Avieon Terrell, T.J. Parker and Khalil Barnes ending up as standouts may not have been on a Clemson fan’s bingo card entering last season.
The same goes for this season. You will have your top recruits, like Bryant Wesco, TJ Moore and Sammy Brown, but there are always one or two players who emerge as X-factors towards the end of the season, where games will always matter more than those earlier on.
So, who could that be? There are many different candidates. Cornerback Tavoy Feagin had an interception in Clemson’s spring game. Other secondary players like Ashton Hampton, Ricardo Jones and Corian Gipson could make impacts when defending the pass.
On the line, Champ Thompson and Darien Mayo have exciting frames as athletes, despite a loaded front four in front of the ball.
In addition, injuries always happen with an incredibly physical sport. Don’t be surprised if a starter goes down, a freshman will take their place and make the most of it. We’ve seen the impact it has made before.
3. How will the defensive line look going into Week 1?
The Clemson defense has a new look when regarding its defensive line. With departures of Xavier Thomas, Ruke Orhorhoro, Justin Mascoll and Tyler Davis, the starting defensive line will look a lot different compared to those of years past.
Two, or perhaps three, players are almost locked in on the line to begin Week 1: Peter Woods, T.J. Parker and DeMonte Capehart. It is just a matter of where Woods plays to determine the final piece. This comes after talks of spring camp of Woods playing defensive end instead of defensive tackle, where he played last season.
Even with the uncertainty of where the Alabaster, Alabama, native will play, coaches Nick Eason and Chris Rumph will have plenty of flexibility with the available players on the roster. When regarding the defensive tackles, Tré Williams, Payton Page and Stephilyan Green are three that can fit into the tackle spot. However, most believe Page will be the guy to play alongside Capehart for Week 1 against Georgia.
Alongside Parker and Woods, the same narrative continues. Sophomores A.J. Hoffler and Caden Story can make an impact. Cade Denhoff is the veteran of this group of defensive ends as well, who can use his experience to see starting snaps throughout the season.
Again, there are many ways to work in this four man defensive line, and although most of the line is figured out for Week 1, there are plenty of wild cards that have the talent to break through.
4. Who is the identity of this defense?
This is a relatively young defensive roster with many veterans gone after last season. With the leadership that players like Trotter, Davis, Thomas and Nate Wiggins provided throughout their Tiger tenure, who can step up in their place for a new “era” of Clemson players.
The candidates are pretty clear, with players like Barrett Carter, Parker, Woods and Khalil Barnes all being able to be that type of player for their team. Others that may make a splash this season, like Capehart, Woodaz and Terrell, wouldn’t be surprising to see either.
Many of those younger players will meet an experienced secondary with graduate players R.J. Mickens and Tyler Venables, who will use their experience to not only display on the field, but in plenty of other situations.
Which, speaking of Venables…
5. Where does Tyler Venables fit?
Last season was an influential one for Venables, who was only seen in two games while undergoing rehab for a hip injury. A leader and valuable asset to Clemson’s secondary, an interesting question to ask will be where the graduate safety fits in Goodwin’s scheme.
The talent is there for the Daniel High School graduate, who was featured in at least ten games in his first three seasons and recorded a sack, an interception and multiple pass breakups. While student coaching during his injured senior season, Venables was able to mentor freshmen like Khalil Barnes, Shelton Lewis and Kylon Griffin. The three had at least one important play each in their opening season at Death Valley.
Even if the trio mentioned earlier beats Venables for a starting spot, an experienced safety is always needed throughout a season, especially after the injuries and opt outs that Clemson saw towards the end of the year, including the Gator Bowl. In addition, having experience with R.J. Mickens is important.
No matter where Venables ends up on the field, his experience should be able to have a lasting impact on this Clemson defense for next season. Who knows? Maybe he takes after his father if he does not see a professional career in his sights.
