Talent keeps coming through Clemson pipeline
Clemson’s most Alabama- like TAMPA quality is the biggest reason for its return trip to the College Football Playoff championship: The Tigers have had a knack for replacing NFL- bound defensive players with equal or better talent.
While Clemson’s offensive personnel will be largely the same as it was against Alabama last season in a 45- 40 loss, only three of its defensive starters from that game returned this year; two graduated and six others entered the NFL draft despite having a year of college eligibility remaining. And that came just a year after Clemson lost seven starters from its 2014 defense, which finished No. 1 nationally in yards allowed.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables has had to start almost from scratch two years in a row, a talent drain that would devastate most programs. Instead, Clemson has maintained a top- 10 defense by plugging in top recruits and patiently developing players who spent most of their careers in minor roles.
“We have done a good job of recruiting and developing and our players buying in,” Venables said. “We have great continuity in our program.”
What made Venables’ job so special this season was that Clemson couldn’t have accounted for how many players would leave early after its trip to last year's national title game. Though it was obvious going into the season that cornerback Mackensie Alexander and defensive end Shaq Lawson would enter the draft if they had good seasons, it would have been impossible to project the same for defensive end Kevin Dodd, linebacker Travis Blanks or safety T. J. Green, who were in their first year as starters.
But instead of a drop- off on defense, Clemson just repeated the formula, moving former reserves to starting roles and got even better, culminating with its 31- 0 shutout of Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
In that game, yet another new star emerged in defensive end Clelin Ferrell, a former four- star recruit who redshirted last season. With four tackles and a sack, he was named the game’s defensive MVP.
Though sophomore Christian Wilkins and freshman Dexter Lawrence received most of the publicity this season on Clemson’s defensive line it is players such as Ferrell waiting in the pipeline that have allowed Clemson’s success to go uninterrupted.
“I had to learn this is Clemson and guys come here to be great players, and even though they might not be the biggest names they’re going to try to make a name for themselves,” Ferrell said.
Just as crucial has been Venables’ knack for turning players who had limited role into key components at just the right time. Safety Jadar Johnson, for instance, said he was “immature” his first three years at Clemson, unhappy with being a reserve. In his first year as a starter, he’s snagged five interceptions.
It’s also a testament to coach Dabo Swinney’s philosophy of refusing to give up on players. Swinney cites examples such as Vic Beasley, who “wasn’t very good” and spent his first two years on campus trying to find a niche before evolving into one of the nation’s top pass rushers.
“The truth of the matter is if you bring in the right type of people they’ll eventually pan out if they’re talented and have the work ethic,” Swinney said.