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Clemson’s defense in better shape than it appears

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables says there is a big difference between this year’s defense, which is replacing seven starters from the national championship team and the 2015 team, which did the same from a unit that led the nation in total defense in 2014.

“We don’t have as much experience back,” he said. “We had a lot of experience back (in ‘15). They just were not starters.”

The 2015 defense returned experienced players like Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson at linebacker, Shaq Lawson at defensive end, D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins at defensive tackle, Jayron Kearse at safety and Mackensie Alexander at cornerback.