Xavier Thomas leads Clemson's next wave of defensive stars

CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the moment, Xavier Thomas was just thinking, "Please don't throw it."

The rest of the world saw lightning in a bottle. Thomas felt like he was running in quicksand.

This was late September, the turning point in Clemson's season when a third-string quarterback led a comeback win and Thomas, the freshman defensive end who'd seen only limited playing time thus far, had a beat on Syracuse QB Eric Dungey.

There was the snap, and then instantly Thomas was in the backfield.

Please. Don't. Throw. It.

Georgia's scheduling of home-and-home series with Clemson and Florida State improves the nonconference schedule for the schools.

Clemson and Oklahoma have played five times, with the…