NEW ORLEANS — When it comes to top-ranked Clemson’s defense, it all starts up front with its defensive line.

No surprise there, right?

Defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, as well as defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence are a big reason Clemson has dominated almost everyone who has lined up across from them this season.

The Tigers, who will play No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Monday, lead the country in yards allowed per play. They lead the nation in sacks, third in tackles for loss and rank sixth nationally in total defense and second in scoring defense.

But as good as all of that is none of it would be possible without a defensive front that simply gets after people and never lets up.

“I think that’s where our most experience is coming back,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said from the Marriott Convention Center in New Orleans on Thursday. “It’s a group that’s probably got our best collection as a position, our best collection of leaders. They kind of set the tempo in regards to our work ethic and our attitude.”

Venables watches how as a collective group they bring a ton of energy to the defense. They bring it to practice because they like to practice. They bring in the weight room.

“They like it all,” he said.

They also like to succeed, which is the biggest factor in why they play so well.

“It’s not a group of guys that you’ve got to pull any teeth to get ready to prepare and work, whether we’re playing The Citadel, Auburn, or Alabama, it doesn’t matter,” Venables said. “Our guys like to play the game. So I do think that, as a group, you want them to get off the bus first.”

Opponents want them to get back on the bus.

“And they’ve been very productive, too,” Venables said. “And it’s a disruptive group that, you know, has had another strong year. And it’s not a group that’s really concerned with reading their press clippings and things of that nature. It’s a very humble, hard‑working, tough‑minded, group of guys that are selfless in everything that they do and their leadership.”

Ferrell leads the team with 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Bryant has 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 7.5 sacks, while Wilkins has 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Though Lawrence has spent a good part of the season banged up and has missed two games, he still has 37 tackles, three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The four have combined for 37 quarterback pressures this year.

They do everything together, on and off the field, and are very selfless, which is not surprising to Venables at all.

“We addressed it all the way back in the summer, when everybody wanted to anoint the defense or them as the best ever,” Venables said. “And who’s to say who’s who and what’s what. I’m one to say we haven’t done anything yet. This book is far from being finished. And I just despise putting the cart before the horse.

“And this has been a group that has been easy to coach because of their humility. And they’re just a very grounded group of young men that all come from good mamas. And I say that sincerely. That’s why they are who they are. But I’m not surprised, though, that they’ve remained humble, no, not at all. And I think that also, that’s what our program is. And that’s something that Coach [Dabo] Swinney nourishes and demands. And there will be no entitlement in this program. They kind of lead the way.”