There was an air of disappointment around the Clemson Tigers on National Signing Day when #1 overall prospect and top target Rashan Gary ultimately chose Michigan, but there's no reason for Tigers fans to fret and get down, In fact, the best defensive tackle in the class may not be Gary at all. Here's 3 Reasons Why Clemson Commit Dexter Lawrence Will Be A Bigger Star Than Rashan Gary.
1. Sheer Heft
Lawrence outweighs Gary by almost 50 pounds (340 to 291), and that 50 is essential to the momentum Lawrence gets off the snap -- using his wide frame and low center of gravity to dislodge blockers at the point of attack. Gary's got the speed advantage, but Lawrence has the opportunity to be a more disruptive force by using his size and downhill leverage to crush pockets and send running backs flying to the turf.
2. Continuity Over Chaos
Brent Venables has emerged as the ultimate defensive coordinator hybrid -- a creative game-planner, deft recruiter and players' coach who instills passion in every rep, every series. Michigan's in a state of flux after defensive coordinator DJ Durkin left for the Maryland job. Boston College's Don Brown is a fine replacement, and Greg Mattison will still be around, but there's still enough uncertainty to project some potential roadblocks for Gary.
Clemson's defense is built for a guy like Lawrence to succeed. Michigan is still figuring out its identity and where Gary will fit altogether.
3. College Football Playoff Stage
Michigan is on the rise, but they're still a handful of offensive pieces away from keeping up with Ohio State, Michigan State, and heck, even Iowa in the Big Ten. Clemson has the depth and the foothold in the ACC where, as long as they take care of business against Florida State, they're the prohibitive favorite to take the conference and ultimately a playoff spot.
Playing for Jim Harbaugh is enough to gain notoriety, but playing for what's been built into a perennial championship contender at Clemson will mean that much more for Dexter Lawrence's rise to superstardom.
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