CLEMSON — If there is one area on Clemson’s football team that continues to be a strength, it is at defensive tackle.
Despite losing players like Bryan Bresee to the 2023 NFL Draft and Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro to eligibility, the Tigers are loaded with talent in the middle of the defensive line.
This year, Clemson is expected to return experienced players like Tre Williams, Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart and Payton Page, to join up-and-comers like Vic Burley, Stephiylan Green, Caden Story and Champ Thompson.
The Tigers’ strength at defensive tackle is one of the reasons why they have been so good for so long along the defensive front. Defensive tackles coach Nick Eason, who played at Clemson himself, has kept that going since he took over two years ago.
Eason is a perfect 4-for-4 in placing his starting defensive tackles on the All-ACC team. Odds are, he has two more All-Conference performers on this year’s team.
Spring Practice Defensive Tackle Candidates
Tre Williams, 6-2, 305, *Sr. – Though he has just one start to his name, Williams has been very productive in the 30 games he has played in. He missed most of last season following shoulder surgery. He has 26 career tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two sacks.
Peter Woods, 6-2, 315, So. – Woods earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023 after playing in 12 games and starting two. He tallied 27 tackles overall, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.
DeMonte Capehart, 6-5, 320, *Sr. – Capehart is not presently participating in team activities while awaiting completion of all legal and university processes following his arrest earlier this month for unlawful possession of a firearm on school property.
Vic Burley, 6-4, 315, *Fr. – Burley showed a lot of promise before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2023 season. In high school, he was the Class AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year in the state of Georgia and was a consensus top 80 player nationally.
Payton Page, 6-4, 315, Sr. – Page is the Tigers’ more experienced defensive tackle. He has played in 39 games in his career, while playing 527 snaps. He has 33 career tackles, including four for loss, a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal.
Champ Thompson, 6-3, 280, Fr. – Thompson participated in Clemson’s Gator Bowl practices as a mid-year enrollee. According to Clemson’s spring guide, Eason compared his mental approach to Tyler Davis’. He recorded 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and broke up four passes during his senior season at Gainesville High School in Georgia, the same high school that produced Clemson great Deshaun Watson.
Stephiylan Green, 6-4, 280, *Fr. – The former four-star prospect played in two games last season before redshirting. Listed by On3 as the 46th best player in the nation coming out of high school and the fourth best player from the state of Georgia.
Caden Story, 6-3, 280, *So. – Story played in 10 games last season and 11 overall in his Clemson career. According to Rivals, he was considered one of the 30 best defensive tackles coming out of high school in 2022. He redshirted in 2022 after playing in just one game.
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