It’s Morphin’ Time!
Clemson’s Power Rangers will suit up together for one more season now that Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has decided he will return to school for his senior season of football.
Defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant made their decisions known Saturday night at the team’s awards banquet, while Wilkins made his announcement Monday afternoon. The three of them join forces with sophomore Dexter Lawrence for a second straight year to form what has become known as the best defensive front in college football.
Many thought after the season Bryant, Ferrell and Wilkins were sure locks to go to the NFL after all three were named First-Team All-Americans in 2017. It was the second straight year Wilkins was named an All-American.
Now, with all three of them returning, what does it mean for the Clemson Tigers in 2018?
Look at it this way, Clemson’s defense should be even better than it was this past season, and the Tigers weren’t too shabby in 2017, either. Clemson finished this past season ranked second nationally in scoring defense, fourth in total defense, fourth in passing defense and 12th in rushing defense.
The Tigers also led the nation in sacks with 46 and their 109 tackles for loss ranked sixth nationally. For the first time ever, Clemson led the ACC in total, scoring, rushing and passing defense in the same season.
In all, considering Tanner Muse—who started half the season at strong safety—will move over to free safety to replace Van Smith, the Tigers will return nine players who started at least six games in 2017.
Over the last five games of the season, Clemson’s defense did not allow an opponent to total more than 261 yards. Opponents averaged just 225.4 yards and 10.8 points per game over that span. Even in the loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, the Tigers held the Crimson Tides’ offense to a season-low 261 total yards.
With Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant all returning, plus Lawrence already in the fold, the defense will be better than ever for defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Joining Clemson’s dominate front four is starting weakside linebacker Kendall Joseph, who was second on the team with 90 tackles, middle linebackers Tre Lamar and J.D. Davis, safeties Muse and K’Von Wallace and corners Mark Fields and Trayvon Mullen.
The offense should be good as well. The offense returns seven starters, not counting the fact Tremayne Anchrum and Sean Pollard shared starts at the right tackle position. Mitch Hyatt, like Bryant, Ferrell and Wilkins, returned to school for another season despite the First-Team All-American being a possible first-round pick in the draft.
Joining Hyatt on offense is of course quarterback Kelly Bryant, who went 12-2 in his first season as a starter and earned ACC Championship Game MVP honors, running backs Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who led the team in receptions and starting tight end Milan Richard.
Clemson finished third in the ACC in scoring offense in 2017.
With 15 starters back (17 if you count Muse and Pollard), plus the return of Greg Huegel at placekicker and Will Spiers at punter, the Tigers are a lock to not only be the favorite to win the ACC for a fourth straight year, but also a preseason Top-3 pick.
Also, considered this, the Tigers return 11 non-starters on defense that saw considerable playing time in 2017, while the offense will also have 11 non-starters who got a lot of experience in crucial situations as well.
In other words, Clemson is loaded across the board on both sides of the ball. Once again, the Tigers will be in contention for another trip to the College Football Playoff and the national championship.