While Clemson’s pass rush wasn’t terrible a season ago, it’s safe to assume most were expecting more than what was delivered.

With T.J. Parker and Will Heldt anchoring the end spots along the defensive line, the Tigers averaged 2.7 sacks per contest, which was good for 21st nationally. Considering Parker, who entered the season with extremely high expectations, finished with just five sacks, those numbers aren’t too bad. And three of Parker’s sacks came in one game, the win over the rival Gamecocks.

Parker has now moved on to the NFL, but Heldt is back, along with Jahiem Lawson, who has developed into a pretty strong player in his own right. Despite a late-season injury, Lawson more than proved his worth in 2025, finishing with 3.5 sacks in a reserve role.

Heldt also proved his value as a pass rusher during his first year at Clemson, totaling a team-high 7.5 sacks. As the season progressed, his ability as a run defender also improved. His experience last year should pay dividends, seeing as Parker is gone, he’s going to be seen as the guy at end.

Like Heldt, Lawson’s run defense has improved dramatically over the past couple of years. He’s gone from basically a pass rush specialist to a player the staff trusts on any down.

“I just know it’s my time to step up,” Lawson said back in the spring. “I know I got to be there for the young guys, and I know we need younger guys in our room to help us play. So, I just know I got to do whatever it takes to help all those guys in our room for whenever it’s time for them. They got to come in and help us. We are going to need help regardless.”

Lawson is absolutely right. He and Heldt are going to need some help along the way, and fortunately, the Tigers have some options behind them on the depth chart who are going to be competing for playing time when fall camp starts next month.

London Merritt was brought in from the portal after spending his first season at Colorado. In a reserve role with the Buffaloes, Merritt made one start and finished 25 tackles, including eight for loss and one sack, earning All-American Freshman Team honors from PFF and All-Big 12 Freshman Defender of the Year Honorable Mention.

Clemson actually recruited Merritt out of high school early on in the process, but he would ultimately commit to Ohio State before eventually flipping to Colorado.

“I looked at (Clemson) a pretty good amount,” the former four-star recruit said of his recruitment. “It was around my sophomore year, I visited and things like that, my Junior Day. They offered me my junior year, and they were on my list for sure. I liked them a lot, but then I just kind of tilted towards other schools.”

Merritt is still a relatively young player, but he was brought in to make an immediate impact, so he will see the field. Probably early and often.

C.J. Wesley was also signed out of the portal. Wesley spent his first four years at Howard, where he had 47 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 26 career games, including 11 starts. Wesley’s precise role is yet to be determined, but no one should be surprised if he’s on the field in obvious pass rush situations.

There are also a couple of younger ends on the roster who have been in what Dabo Swinney likes to call the “crockpot.” Darien Mayo is entering his third season with the program and could be primed to take a major step forward. The 6-foot-7 player was a big-time recruit coming out of high school, but at the same time, he needed a little polishing. After seeing the field for less than 100 snaps across his first two seasons, Mayo might be in store for some opportunities in 2026.

Ari Watford is another end worth keeping an eye on. Watford, who has an extremely high ceiling, only appeared in one game last season while redshirting. It’s also worth noting that a knee injury suffered ahead of his arrival on campus hampered him during the early part of his freshman season. He was not cleared to fully practice until September of last season.

Now that he has that season under his belt, Watford is coming into camp looking to earn an opportunity.

“I want to be available for my teammates and my coaches,” he said. “I want to earn a role and a spot on the field. I just want to see the field.”

The Tigers also signed JR Hardrick and Michael Foster back in December from the high school ranks. Both are summer enrollees and likely heading for redshirts.

No matter how the rotation shakes out behind Heldt and Lawson, this Clemson defense should have some options at defensive end.