Even if Jahiem Lawson doesn’t start at defensive end, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney views Lawson as “a 1” – or, in other words, a part of the Tigers’ top group of edge rushers.

The redshirt junior drew more praise from Swinney on Thursday following Clemson’s second and final scrimmage of camp.

“Jahiem is a 1. And if he doesn’t run out there first, he’s a 1,” Swinney said. “He has had an awesome, awesome camp. He really has.”

Lawson, a product of nearby Daniel High School, enters the 2025 season credited with 31 tackles (4.5 for loss), one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 405 career defensive snaps over 19 games across his first three years at Clemson (2022-24).

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 255-pounder played in all 14 games and made four starts. He finished the year with 29 tackles (3.5 for loss), one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 366 defensive snaps.

Swinney added that with Lawson having “really had a great camp,” he is “right there” with juniors T.J. Parker and Will Heldt, both of whom are expected to start at defensive end. Swinney also said that redshirt senior defensive end Cade Denhoff “isn’t far off” from a production standpoint.

Swinney feels “really good” about those four guys.

“We’re really, really fortunate,” Swinney said. “I’m really proud of Heldt and T.J. and Jahiem and Denhoff. I think all four of those guys are guys that can really go play for us and win for us.”