CHARLOTTE – The rushing defense for the Clemson Tigers has not been their strong suit, as of late.

In 2024, the Tigers were ranked 84th nationally in rush defense, allowing 160.6 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry on the ground, their worst in nearly 50 years. The 1975 Tigers gave up 5.3 yards per carry.

However, so much has changed since the end of the last year, with the addition of defensive end Will Heldt from Purdue, and former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen. In the pursuit of improving on the failures of the defense last year, the Tigers are going all out, and the defensive leaders are ready to lead the charge.

At the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff, defensive line starters and stars Peter Woods and TJ Parker spoke on what needs to happen for the defense to be better against the run in 2025.

“Just getting better,” Parker said. “Working on certain drills and certain situations to better our chances of being better at the run and then having to understand that we did lack on the run last year.

“It is what it is, and now, we are trying to get better and go do it.”

Clearly, the Tigers know that they need to do better. And the reality is, they are right, as Clemson will face many threatening rushing attacks this season. LSU’s Caden Durham will be an early challenge in Week 1 after rushing for over 5.0 a carry in 2024. Additionally, Georgia Tech’s Jamal Haynes, Louisville’s Isaac Brown, and UNC’s Davion Gause are all talented rushers who are expected to have big years this year, and the Tigers have to face them all.

“We’re critical of ourselves,” Woods said. “Watching tape, we obviously fell short (last year). Whether it’s fits, mental errors, or different things, just being able to cut down on that, and that comes from focus and preparation.”

Acknowledgement and preparation could equal results, but it will take work. The Tigers have an admittedly strong defense for the upcoming season, with Heldt and Parker taking the edges while Woods and senior Demonte Capehart work the tackle sports. At linebacker, Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown, who combined for 162 tackles and eight sacks last year, will help with run support from behind.

Not only does a strong unit return in 2025, but Allen joins the fray. Allen helped lead Penn State to the semi-finals of the College Football Playoffs last season and strengthened a unit that ended the season as the seventh best defense in the nation.

“You’ll see a lot of improvements, for sure,” Parker said. “We have a lot of confidence throughout the room. Everybody. We feed off each other, we feed off the coaching energy, and that’s going to allow us to play better.”

The Clemson defense will have the chance to not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk with its improvements when it kicks off the season at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30 against the LSU Tigers.