Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables says there is a big difference between this year’s defense, which is replacing eight 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 (this year),” Venables said following Wednesday’s practice. “We had a lot of experience back (in ‘15). They just were not starters.”
Besides losing guys like Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and Dexter Lawrence on the defensive line, the Tigers also lost reserve defensive tackle Albert Huggins and reserve defensive end Chris Register to graduation.