By Ed McGranahan.

One of the mysteries that may linger well beyond the Auburn game is the identity of Clemson’s defensive rainmaker. The one guy opponents scheme all week to neutralize. The one player quarterbacks must locate before the snap.

Part of the issue is that Brent Venables has 16 freshmen and sophomores in the mix for significant playing time, many with limited or no game experience.

Of that group, nickel back Travis Blanks and tackle Carlos Watkins were in high school a year ago. Tackles Grady Jarrett, DeShaun Williams and Josh Watson, ends Vic Beasley and Tavaris Barnes, corner Gary Peters, safety Robert Smith and linebackers Tony Steward and Lateek Townsend combined for 420 snaps, a bit more than half of Brandon Thompson’s workload last season.

While the approach is slightly different, the philosophy and objective are not; attack and create havoc, force an offense to maintain symmetry or balance then exploit its weakest points.

Venables said the strength of his first defense at Clemson will be its 11 moving parts, none more superior to the other.

He doesn’t seem alarmed that there isn’t a Branch, Bowers or Adams on the roster. Said he doesn’t see one. “Maybe next year,” he said coyly.

Or maybe this year.

Malliciah Goodman and Rashard Hall are seniors of good pedigree and resume. Hall led the team in tackles last season playing on an injured knee and has 10 interceptions in three seasons. His knee should be sound following surgery in January, and he’s a whiz at identifying offensive tendencies.

Goodman has played in every game for three seasons, starting all 14 last year. Generally solid against the run, he is neither flamboyant nor dramatic and tends to be lost in discussions about great defensive linemen because he has only five sacks. Somebody asked if he could develop into that type of player, much as Andre Branch did last season when he led the ACC in sacks after playing second fiddle to Da’Quan Bowers. In Branch’s case, it was never a matter of “if” but “when.”

Dabo Swinney intimated that Beasley could be that guy. Beasley could play a number of positions, but end is where he’s most needed and apparently it’s a good marriage of need and skill.

“He’s disruptive and a playmaker,” Swinney said. “He’s as strong as an ox. He plays 265, and maybe one of these days he’ll get there. Long arms, gets to a lot of balls, he’s so fast.”

After trials at tackle and end, Barnes could blossom once he settles into a defined role.  Corner Bashaud Breeland has the look of a safety but should be ideal at corner in Venables’ zone coverage.

Then there are the linebackers, the blue ribbon class of 2011. Stephone Anthony, Steward and Townsend are all high end athletic talents with keen, disruptive instincts and ball skills. Before the season runs its course, they may all be starters.

Then the mystery will be solved.