Looking Ahead: 2025 Clemson DT Room

Over the past several years, Clemson has not suffered from a lack of talent on the interior of its defensive line.

It’s routinely been one of the deepest positions on the team and 2025 should be no different.

While the argument can be made that the defensive tackles didn’t meet the expectations that were in place a season ago, that should change with the hiring of Tom Allen.

The Tigers return a lot of experience, including DeMonte Capehart and Peter Woods, who should benefit from playing in Allen’s more aggressive scheme. To give you an idea of exactly how aggressive it was, Penn State had a sack rate of 8.49%, good for 13th best in the country.

Woods is a former 5-star whose best football is still ahead of him. He has only scratched the surface of his potential. Capehart has also shown he is a force to be reckoned with when healthy.

There is also plenty of talent behind Woods and Capehart. Stephiylan Green returns, as does Vic Burley, Champ Thompson and Hevin Brown-Shuler. Incoming freshmen Makhi Williams-Lee and 5-star Amare Adams also join the fray.

Green is another player who has only scratched the surface, and Burley just needs a little luck when it comes to staying healthy. If he can do that, Clemson will have a fairly stout four-man rotation next season.

Thompson and Brown-Shuler both redshirted last season but both are former blue-chip prospects. Thompson was a player coaches made sure to mention was standing out during fall camp last year. If he gets an opportunity, he’s likely to make the most of it.

Adams is also worth watching during the spring and fall. He’s talented enough to warrant some early opportunities but with how crowded that room is, it won’t be easy.

Williams-Lee is a summer enrollee, meaning he might very well be looking at a redshirt.

2025 DT Room

  • DeMonte Capehart (6th Yr Sr)
  • Peter Woods (Jr)
  • Stephiylan Green (R-So)
  • Vic Burley (R-So)
  • Caden Story (R-So)
  • Champ Thompson (R-Fr)
  • Hevin Brown-Shuler (R-Fr)
  • Amare Adams (Fr)
  • Makhi Williams-Lee (Fr)

Outlook: Defensive tackle should be a position of strength next season. Yes, the group didn’t produce to the standard that’s in place in 2024, but a lot of that was scheme and defensive philosophy. With Allen now running things on that side of the ball, expect the Tigers’ defense to take on more aggressive mentality, which in turn should lead to more disruption from players like Woods and Capehart. There’s also plenty of quality depth, meaning Clemson should be able to overcome an injury.

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Looking Ahead: 2025 Quarterbacks

Looking Ahead: Clemson 2025 DE Room