By Will Vandervort.
This will be the biggest question mark of the spring and summer for the 2015 football team. The Tigers are not just having to replace Vic Beasley and his 33 career sacks, but they must also find someone to replace Corey Crawford – a four-year player, who has started the last three seasons at defensive end.
Clemson also lost the services of Tavaris Barnes, its top reserve at defensive end last season.
Shaq Lawson comes in as the most experienced player of the returning group, playing in each of the Tigers 26 games in the last two seasons.
Shaq Lawson, Jr., 6-foot-3, 275 pounds
About: Lawson really came on strong in the second half of the 2014 season. He led all Clemson defensive ends with 44 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He has 79 tackles and 21 tackles for loss in his Clemson career, including 7.5 sacks.
Strengths: He is extremely strong and has good speed. He can bull rush the quarterback and has great power and length.
Weaknesses: He tends to run himself out of running lanes. At times defensive coordinators will use his speeds against him. He needs to become more disciplined and contain his rush lanes.
Kevin Dodd, Jr., 6-foot-5, 275 pounds
About: Dodd is Clemson’s most experienced defensive end behind Lawson, which isn’t saying too much. He has served as a reserve defensive end the past two seasons. He has 21 tackles, three tackles for loss and four quarterback pressures. He has played just 219 snaps in 24 career games.
Strengths: Like Lawson he is strong and has the potential to be a good run stopper.
Weaknesses: Lacks experience going up against quality offensive tackles and needs to get quicker hands.
Martin Aiken, Jr., 6-foot-2, 225 pounds
About: Aiken has made himself value to the team with his role on kickoff and punt coverages. He has recorded 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback pressure. He has recorded 82 snaps in 24 games during his career.
Strengths: Quick first step and has good hands.
Weaknesses: Still isn’t strong enough. He relies too much on his speed to get around offensive tackles. Can be pushed around and struggles in stopping the run.
Ebenezer Ogundeko, So., 6-foot-3, 250 pounds
About: Has the potential to be a real good defensive end. He came to Clemson as a project as had a lot to learn about being a defensive end as well as a football player. He played in seven games last season as he recorded five tackles.
Strengths: He is very athletic and quick and does a good job with his hands.
Weaknesses: He is still learning the position, needs to continue to work on his technique and how to use his power and strength to his advantage.
Richard Yeargin, Fr., 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
About: Clemson coaches are extremely high on him. They think he has the potential to be as good, if not better, than Vic Beasley. A First-Team All-American in high school, he had 85 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as a senior. He was redshirted in 2014.
Strengths: He is extremely fast, has good hands and knows how to use his speed to get around offensive tackles.
Weaknesses: He could get a little stronger and needs to bulk up a little more. Coaches are hoping he comes into the spring around 240 pounds.
Albert Huggins, Fr., 6-foot-3, 280 pounds
About: Huggins was rated by every major recruiting service as the top player in the state of South Carolina. With his addition, it was the first time since 2008 that Clemson signed the state’s top player. Huggins was picked for the Shrine Bowl and the U.S. Army All-American game.
Strengths: On the field, Huggins is a strong, powerful player who could play at strong-side defensive end or as a 3-technique defensive tackle. Some of that will depend on how much he grows. He’s quick, athletic and moves well for someone who’s close to 300 pounds.
Weaknesses: Huggins could improve his get off, particularly if he’s going to play on the end. Like most linemen coming out of high school, Huggins could also improve his pad level.
Sterling Johnson, Fr., 6-5, 275 pounds
About: Johnson, who was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game, was ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 overall player in the state of North Carolina. Like Huggins, he could potentially play tackle or end at Clemson.
Strengths: On the hoof, Johnson is one of the most impressive looking prospects in the Clemson class. He’s got the frame add plenty of weight and grow to over 300 pounds.
Weaknesses: For someone with his size, Johnson didn’t dominate the high school level like one might expect. If develops more of a motor at Clemson, he could grow into a quality rotational player.