Coming off a 9-4 (4-4 ACC) season in 2023, Clemson is ranked No. 19 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for the 2024 campaign.

ESPN recently identified the biggest strength for each team in the aforementioned top 25, and what was pegged as the Tigers’ biggest strength should come as no surprise.

Clemson has a strong case for being “DLU,” thanks to a consistently dominant defensive line over the years and the fact the program has repeatedly produced NFL talent at the position.

This year is no different, and despite some departures up front on defense, the Tigers remain loaded on the D-line entering 2024. And that’s what ESPN labeled as Clemson’s biggest strength:

The defensive line has long been Clemson’s bread and butter, and it should be again in 2024. While some of the unit’s veterans — Xavier Thomas, Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro — have moved on, there’s ample young talent ready to take over. Peter Woods exploded onto the scene as arguably the nation’s best freshman interior lineman last year, and his ceiling is incredibly high. T.J. Parker racked up 12.5 tackles for loss off the edge as a freshman last season, too. A host of veterans stepping into bigger roles, led by Cade Denhoff and Payton Page, add to the depth. This should, once again, be among the ACC’s best fronts.

Clemson opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Georgia, the No. 1 team in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25.

ESPN named the Bulldogs’ linebackers as the team’s biggest strength entering 2024.

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