No one was surprised when Clemson lost three of its starting defensive backs to the NFL last week. As expected safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green, along with cornerback Mackensie Alexander, all underclassmen, declared themselves eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft.
The only one who will return from the four starters that started in last week’s National Championship Game is cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, whom TCI confirmed last Thursday was returning to Clemson for his senior season.
Despite returning just one starter from a unit that finished second in pass completion defense, 11th in passing efficiency defense and 17th in yards per game, Clemson secondary coach Mike Reed is excited about the group he has coming back.
In talking with Reed during the Orange Bowl’s media day at Sun Life Stadium last month, he told The Clemson Insider he really likes the way other players like Adrian Baker, Ryan Carter and Mark Fields have developed at cornerback.
“Those are guys, I think, we will be able to count on next year, and we are probably going to have,” he said.
Reed also feels Van Smith will be a bigger asset this coming season. The freshman saw some playing time down the stretch in critical situations, including some snaps in both the Orange Bowl and in the National Championship game.
He also had a big interception and return in the Tigers’ win over Miami during the regular season.
The Tigers will also get the services of Tanner Muse at safety as well as Kaleb Chalmers at cornerback. Both were redshirted in 2015. Muse is a tall safety at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, who is fast and has good range, while Chalmers is an athletic defensive back with good size at 6-foot, 180 pounds.
Clemson will also get back the services of Korrin Wiggins at safety. The junior missed the entire 2015 season after he tore his ACL early in fall camp.
Wiggins has played in 25 games in his career, and has started six of them. He played mostly as a safety in 2013, and then was primarily a nickel back in 2014. He was expected to move back to safety before his injury last summer.
The secondary also returns Jadar Johnson at safety. He has played all three years he has been at Clemson, though primarily as a backup to Kearse and Green. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds he gives the Tigers another tall and rangy defender in the secondary. Green can play either strong or free safety.
Jefferie Gibson, a sophomore next season, is another tall safety. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 200 pounds. He was all the news during spring drills and fall camp last season. He should be more than ready to step in and compete for one of those two starting jobs at safety this spring.
If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.