A big part of Clemson’s national titles in 2016 and 2018 was its defensive line.
While those offenses, led by quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, deserve a lot of credit, it was that defensive front that featured players like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, Carlos Watkins and Austin Bryant that tended to set the tone. They were so good that three of those players went on to be first-round NFL Draft picks.
This year’s front four also features plenty of talent, with Peter Woods and TJ Parker both being projected by many as first-rounders in next spring’s draft.