It’s funny how things work out sometimes.
Following Clemson’s Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama on New Year’s Day, if you would have polled everyone in the media, and all of the Clemson fans, no one would have voted defensive linemen Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant were returning for one more season in Tiger Town.
All of us would have thought we would be tracking how the three Tigers were doing in the NFL Scouting Combine this week. Instead, starting today behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex, we will be tracking their progression in practice as Clemson opens spring football drills.
It’s crazy to think how different the perception of the 2018 football season might seem had the three decided to go pro early and enter the NFL Draft. It’s doubtful the Tigers would be ESPN’s preseason No. 1 right now.
However, with the return of Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant, plus junior Dexter Lawrence, Clemson has without a doubt the best defensive line in the country and arguably the best defense in the land as well entering the 2018 football season.
In all, the Tigers return nine players who started at least four games on defense in 2017, a defense that led the ACC in scoring, total, rushing and passing defense. It was the first time in Clemson Football history the Tigers led the conference in all four categories.
Clemson also ranked second nationally in scoring defense (13.6 ppg), fourth in total defense (276.7 ypg), fourth in passing defense (161.9 ypg) and 12th in rushing defense (114.9 ypg). With Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant leading the way, the Tigers tied for the national lead in sacks with 46 and sixth in tackles for loss with 109.
Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant earned First-Team All-American honors in 2017 and combined for 22.5 of Clemson’s 46 sacks. Ferrell ranked second in the ACC with 9.5 sacks, while Bryant was one behind at 8.5. Wilkins had 4.5 from his defensive tackle position.
The three also tallied a combined 42 tackles for loss, with Ferrell leading the way with 18, followed by 15.5 from Bryant and 8.5 from Wilkins.
When looking at the numbers they put up, it’s amazing neither of the three garnered a first-round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. Apparently, they have some things they have to improve upon, which I’m sure they will.
How is that for motivation?
So today, as Clemson begins spring drills, Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant will start that process. How fortunate is Clemson today that the three defensive linemen are on the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex instead of getting ready to run on-field drills later this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis?
It’s funny how things work out sometimes.