Brent Venables likes what he saw from his young defense this spring.
Clemson’s defensive coordinator must replace seven starters off of last year’s unit, which ranked 10th nationally in total defense. The challenge this spring was getting his young and talented players ready at all three levels of the defense.
The Tigers have question marks and holes to fill at defensive end, linebacker and in the secondary.
“I thought we had a pretty good spring. I saw a lot of growth and improvement and in both knowledge and fundamentals,” Venables said following last Saturday’s spring game at Death Valley.
Though Clemson is loaded at defensive tackle—at least eight deep—that’s not the case at defensive end where it must replace All-American Shaq Lawson and All-ACC performer Kevin Dodd. The two helped Clemson rank second nationally in sacks with a combined 24.5, while they also helped the Tigers lead the nation in tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 48.5 combined.
This spring the Tigers worked Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Chris Register, Richard Yeargin and freshman Lasamuel Davis at defensive end. All five are talented player, but they are also raw and inexperienced.
Venables left the spring still questioning if they have found the two guys they need to start at defensive end.
“I need to find two before I find three,” he said.
One of those could be defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who agreed to move out to defensive periodically in the spring to help out with the depth situation. Wilkins thrived on the outside and enjoyed playing out there.
He has done so well, he will probably see time in the Tigers’ rotation this fall.
As for the other guys, “We have some good young guys that have a chance,” Venables said. “We know who all the people are. We have a lot of work to do.”
Clemson has a lot of work to do at linebacker, too. But unlike the situation at defensive end, Venables has more people to choose from. Ben Boulware is a lock at the weakside position and Dorian O’Daniel has the strongside spot anchored down as well. That leaves the middle where Kendall Joseph heads into the summer as the starter, but freshman linebackers Tre Lamar and Chad Smith are breathing down his neck.
Lamar led all tacklers in the spring game with 10.
The Tigers are also working freshman Shaq Smith, Jalen Williams, J.D. Davis and Judah Davis at the three linebacker positions.
“I’m excited about the young ones that just joined us. I think they have bright futures,” Venables said. “They have plenty of things to correct and improve on, but overall, I thought they had a good strong spring.”
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