By Will Vandervort / Hale McGranahan.
Granted Clemson will have a ton of questions to answer this spring on the defensive line with guys like Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, DeShawn Williams and Corey Crawford all leaving the defense at the same time. But let’s not worry too much because the secondary is good enough to hold its own while guys like Shaq Lawson, D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins adjust to being full-time starters up front.
Led by perhaps the best shutdown cornerback in the ACC in Mackensie Alexander, the Tigers return one of the best and deepest secondaries in the country, one that led the nation in pass efficiency defense and ranked second nationally in passing yards allowed.
“I think we have a chance to be special in the secondary if we will continue to work and chop wood every day,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.
The Tigers have to replace Garry Peters at the cornerback position opposite Alexander, but guys like Cordrea Tankersley, Adrian Baker, Ryan Carter and Marcus Edmond are more than ready to step in and show secondary coach Mike Reed what they can do.
Mackensie Alexander, So., 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
About: Alexander started all 13 games for the Tigers as he recorded 22 tackles, two tackles for loss and had six passes broken in his redshirt freshman season. He played a freshman record 766 snaps from the cornerback position while earning second-team Freshman All-American Honors.
Strengths: He is physical. He is good with his hips and has great closing speed. He makes it tough for wide receivers to get off the line of scrimmage when he is in press man. He is a student of the game and one of the hardest workers on the team.
Weaknesses: He is too hard on himself. He spends hours watching film to better himself and prepare for his opponents.
Cordrea Tankersley, Jr., 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
About: Tankersley has earned his spot on the team the last two years as a reserve defensive back and as a top tackler on special teams. Last year, he played in all 13 games and recorded 11 tackles.
Strengths: His size makes him the tallest corner on the team and it allows him to jam receivers and knock them off their routes, while also having the ability to highpoint the ball in jump-ball situations.
Weaknesses: His hips can be a little stiff at times and sometimes is not quick to get his head turned around.
Adrian Baker, So., 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
About: Baker has seen limited action as a reserve defensive back, playing in just four games last season. He is expected to challenge for the starting cornerback position this spring.
Strengths: He breaks well to the ball and has playmaking ability. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns during his senior of high school.
Weaknesses: Lacks experience and needs to get stronger and tougher.
Marcus Edmond, So., 5-foot-11, 170 pounds
About: Like Baker, he played in just four games last season, but he made a name for himself in camp last summer when he made several big plays in scrimmages.
Strengths: He is extremely athletic, has good instincts and knows how to get to the ball.
Weaknesses: As a former quarterback, he trusts his instincts too much and can get caught peaking in the backfield.
Ryan Carter, So., 5-foot-9, 180 pounds
About: Carter recoded three tackles last season as a reserve cornerback. He played in all 13 games, but most of those were on special teams.
Strengths: He has a big frame, is strong and has good instincts.
Weaknesses: His 5-foot-9 frame gives him a disadvantage in covering much taller wide receivers that can high-pint the ball and out jump him.
Kaleb Chalmers, Fr., 6-foot, 180 pounds
About: A three-star recruit out of Greenwood High School, Chalmers was selected to the Shrine Bowl as a senior. According to 247, he was ranked the No. 11 overall country in the state of South Carolina and the No. 166 overall player in the country.
Strengths: Chalmers has the length and frame that makes his future at Clemson a bright one. He has quick feet/hips, adequate speed and good ball skills — tools that will translate to the college level.
Weaknesses: Physically, Chalmers has some room to grow and he should be able to do that during his first few months in the Clemson weight program.