For the second straight year some are saying Clemson’s defense will take a step back because of the losses to the NFL and other attrition. In this series we will look at the players that have departed and how they will be replaced this season.

In this edition of The Replacements we look at how Clemson will replace Travis Blanks at SAM/Nickel.

Dorian O’Daniel is currently listed as the starter at SAM/Nickel. He has improved in his coverage skills and defensive coordinator Brent Venables is confident he can be trusted to be on the field more even in more passing situations. Of course, O’Daniel’s strength is stopping the run. He will definitely be the guy on the field early in downs and in obvious running situations.

Korrin Wiggins is back from his injury this season and is ready to step in and fill the void filled by Blanks’ departure. Wiggins brings experience as he played and started at the position in 2014 before being injured last year in camp.

Wiggins spoke with the media following Wednesday morning’s scrimmage and said he is back to 100 percent almost exactly a year after the injury. He said he doesn’t really think about the knee any longer.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Wiggins is not the same player, at this point, that he was in 2014 and that he still has some rust to get off after sitting for a season. Once the rust comes off, Wiggins should be a great replacement for Blanks. Wiggins had two tackles for loss in Wednesday’s scrimmage and his strength according to Swinney is playing in the box.

Wiggins has also been working at safety, but we believe his home once again will be at Nickel. He can also play the traditional SAM role when they need to be able to keep the same player on the field.

Ryan Carter, who is now playing corner, can also play Nickel when needed. Carter did a good job of playing the position last season when called on.

Freshman K’Von Wallace, who is working at safety and corner, also has the skill set to be a very good nickel back in the future.

Blanks will be missed, but with Wiggins and Carter the Tigers should be in good shape at the position in 2016 without any drop off.