By Will Vandervort.

With the exception of Shaq Lawson, no one is expecting much from Clemson’s defensive end positions. After all, the Tigers just lost the program’s best pass rusher in Vic Beasley, who set an all-time mark of 33 sacks, as well as three-year starter Corey Crawford.

But as the spring has wore on, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is feeling pretty good about the guys he has coming back. Lawson, to no one’s surprise, has been the most dominating player of the group, recording three sacks in a scrimmage already this spring, while Kevin Dodd had a sack in Wednesday’s 100-play scrimmage.

“Kevin Dodd has come to work every day. I have not seen him have really a bad day from an effort and work ethic standpoint,” Venables said.

The Tigers defensive coach says he has also seen Ebenezer Ogundeko grow and improve this spring, while getting better. And then there is a redshirt freshman from Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., that a lot of people have been interesting in hearing about.

“Richard Yeargin has really shown some things and is starting to play faster, stronger and is more sure of himself. He is getting more comfortable. He still has to do some things and take another step, but I have been pleased with some things from him as well.”

At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Yeargin was the most talked about player from the power-hour sessions by head coach Dabo Swinney last fall. The Tigers’ coach says Yeargin reminds him a lot of Beasley because of his size and athletic ability.

A U.S. Army All-American in high school, Yeargin signed with the Tigers in 2014 after recoding 85 tackles, 15 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss his senior year.

Yeargin isn’t the only young player playing well at defensive end. True freshman Albert Huggins was also spoken in high regard by Venables.

“Albert Huggins has gotten out there and has done a few good things for a young guy,” the defensive coordinator said. “He is learning the speed of the game and is learning his responsibilities and technique.”

Then there is redshirt freshman Chris Register, who asked to move from linebacker to defensive end last week. He has now had three practices at defensive end.

“I think that is a position that will fit his skills well when he learns all of the little things like where to put his eyes, how to get in the stance,” Venables said. “He is a worker, he cares and he wants to play. He can tackle and he can run.

“He is intelligent. He will come along and he will make a big jump here during the course of summer and fall camp.”