Even though Clemson still has a chance to pursue a national title, there’s no better time to put a bow on the football season than Christmas. (That holiday pun was a gift—a Christmas gift, from me to you.) To help with that, I’ve compiled a list of 2015 superlatives on either side of the football. We conclude today with the defense…
MVP: Shaq Lawson
It was fair to ask how Clemson planned to replace Vic Beasley after last season, even if the answer was obvious to those in and around the program. Lawson has turned in a marvelous 2015 campaign that earned him status as a finalist for pretty much every award relevant to a defensive end. He leads the country by leaps and bounds with 22.5 tackles for loss and has a team-best 9.5 sacks. The junior has already announced his plans to enter the NFL Draft this season as an assumed first round pick.
Robin: Mackensie Alexander
You won’t notice Alexander’s name on the stat sheet. He has no interceptions and only four pass breakups. However, that’s the beauty of Alexander’s game. The redshirt sophomore has an uncanny ability to shut down half of the football field with his coverage ability. He makes everything else on the field easier for the Clemson defense because of how well he does his job.
Newcomer: Christian Wilkins
Pressed into duty after D.J. Reader left the team for a while in August, Wilkins responded with a season far better than should be reasonably expected for most freshmen. Only Carlos Watkins (28) bested Wilkins’ 27 total tackles for the season. The disruptive nature of his interior push at the line of scrimmage made commentators take notice all season long.
Season Saver: Adrian Baker
Baker only had two interceptions all season, but one of them could have potentially saved a national title run. Already trailing 7-0 against Florida State in the first quarter, the Tigers were in danger of giving up another score. Baker, however, had other ideas. He broke on a fade route up the sideline and picked off a pass deep in Seminole territory, and the Noles never threatened again. The interception flipped the momentum in the building and allowed Clemson to begin the march toward an Atlantic Division crown.
Secret Storyline: Cordrea Tankersley’s emergence
Somewhat under the radar—due to Alexander’s presence and other studs peppered all over the defense—lies the rise of Cordrea Tankersley. The junior leads the team with five interceptions—no one else has more than two—and seven pass breakups. After being billed as a question mark during August camp, he has established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect because of the high volume of action he has received opposite Alexander, and he might have his own decision to make regarding his future once the season concludes.
DNA: Ben Boulware
Boulware is the quintessential picture of the Clemson defense. He is tough and reckless, instinctive and intelligent. The local product can routinely be seen blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage. He leads the Tigers in quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (3) and has seven tackles for loss for the season. His downhill style of pursuing the ball carrier has become a staple of Brent Venables’ linebacking corps across the board.
Unsung Hero: B.J. Goodson
Boulware’s running mate had to replace a first-round pick and former stud recruit in Stephone Anthony. Goodson has risen to the challenge in each and every game, mostly without being noticed at all. He is the unlikely team leader in tackles with 91—and, in fact, nobody else is particularly close. With 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, one might think Goodson would receive more accolades, but he seems perfectly content to play the background.
Biggest Obstacle: Fatigue
A lack of depth has been routinely cited as Clemson’s biggest malady on defense this season, especially as compared to last year’s unit. The Tigers played games in 11 consecutive weeks down the stretch of the season, and the fourth quarter became a source of frustration as players asked to play the vast majority of snaps were ineffective. The wearing-down of the defense never cost Clemson a game during the season, but it did keep fans on their toes in November.
Best Performance: Miami
Any time a defense can shut out a conference opponent, it’s a good day. When that opponent is a program like Miami and the performance happens on the road, it makes the feat that much more impressive. The Hurricanes mustered only 146 yards of total offense, more than 250 yards beneath their season average, and the Tigers led by 42 points at halftime in a 58-0 rout that marked the end of Al Golden’s coaching tenure at Miami.
God Bless!
WQ