By Will Vandervort.

Clemson will lose eight starters on defense, but why I am not concerned?

Of the eight starters, four are from the defensive line, two are at linebacker and two are from the secondary. Again, why I am not concerned? Did I mention that two of the top reserve defensive tackles are also graduating and that one of the reserve defensive ends is leaving, too?

Why then am I not concerned?

I guess because the Tigers bring back experience at defensive tackle in D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins. I guess because Shaq Lawson came on in the second half of the season and really showed how good he can be at defense end. I guess it’s because Ben Boulware showed what he can do in the place of Stephone Anthony in the Russell Athletic Bowl. I guess it’s because the secondary returns big-play players in safety Jayron Kearse, corner Mackensie Alexander and nickel back Korrin Wiggins as well as the addition of safety/nickel back Travis Blanks, who is returning from ACL surgery in 2013..

The only position that has me a little concerned is the strong side position at defensive end, which has been vacated by Corey Crawford’s graduation. At this time, there does not seem to be anyone ready to fill his spot.

Of course the coaches could move Lawson, who led all defensive ends with 44 tackles in 2014, over to playing the strong side. He is surely big enough (6-3, 275) and strong enough to do it. But then who goes on the weakside, where All-American Vic Beasley has terrorized opposing quarterbacks the last three seasons?

This will perhaps be the lone question mark for the Tigers this spring on the defensive side of the ball, as crazy as that sounds.

Kevin Dodd (6-5, 275) will get the opportunity in the spring to become the starter here, though he will be pushed by newcomers Albert Huggins (6-3, 280) and Sterling Johnson (6-5, 280), who enrolled into school earlier this month.

If none of those three emerge then maybe a guy like redshirt freshman Richard Yeargin (6-4, 240), who the coaches feel has the potential to be another Beasley, steps up or Martin Aiken (6-2, 240). Aiken played in 12 games in 2014, recorded seven tackles, including one sack.

Ebenezer Ogundeko (6-2, 255) could also be in the fold at defensive end, along with Dane Rogers (6-3, 270).

So there is plenty of candidates and plenty of potential to replace Crawford, but the question is who will that be and more importantly can they surpass their potential and fill what is definitely a position of need?