By Heath Bradley.

By Heath Bradley

Clemson will only lose one defensive end following the 2012 season, and that player is Malliciah Goodman. A highly touted high school recruit, it took Goodman longer than most to find his niche at this level.

However, gifted with incredible size and length, Goodman made major strides as a pass rusher in 2012, dominating games as the season progressed. While it will be tough for the Tigers to replace a player and leader like Goodman, the cupboard is not bare.

One player who has already made a major impact for Clemson is Vic Beasley. The sophomore has totaled eight sacks in his first significant snaps as a Tiger and made a major improvement in the pass rush department. Beasley has continued to make strides in stopping the run and as he continues he has the potential to become the next great Clemson defensive end.

Across from Beasley is a player who started to make more of an impact as the season progressed. Corey Crawford showed the makings of an All-American defensive end for the Tigers, disrupting multiple plays in the backfield, forcing fumbles, and deflecting passes as the season progressed. Crawford, only a sophomore, will only improve as his career moves forward. It will be fun to watch Beasley and Crawford over the next couple of seasons in Tiger uniforms.

Clemson will also look for an increased role from Tavaris Barnes. A player who has played both inside and outside for the Tigers, Barnes offers a blend of size and speed they will need at the end position.

Kevin Dodd saw limited action at defensive end in 2012.  With an offseason to hit the weight room and learn more of coach Venable’s system he should see more playing time next fall.

Martin Aiken, who redshirted in 2012, will look to continue the legacy of talented defensive ends at Clemson from Bamberg, S.C. Aiken is built more in the mold of Ricky Sapp than DaQuan Bowers was –both products of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School as well. He will hopefully help fill a pass rush need for the Tigers.

While Clemson is still currently involved with multiple high profile defensive ends on the recruiting front, one player for certain will be on campus. Shaq Lawson, from nearby Daniel High School in Central, S.C., Lawson will enroll at Clemson in January after spending a season at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia .

Lawson has all the tools to be a dominant player at the end position. A converted basketball star, he has a great mixture of size and speed. TCI expects Lawson to avoid a redshirt and contribute as a true freshman for the Tigers.