The Deacons will return 16 starters for the 2017-18 season, nine on offense and seven on defense. While key players like Tyler Hayworth, Marquel Lee, and Ryan Janvion will be missed, Clawson has done an impeccable job in recruiting solid depth and potential starters behind those key players.
Of the players who redshirted in 2015 and 2016, players like Sulaiman Kamara, Carlos Basham, Nate Mays, and Jake Benzinger have made a strong impression throughout the spring. In fact, Benzinger has been with the first team much of the spring as the Deacs replace two starters in Hayworth and Josh Harris.