At the start of fall camp, Clemson’s defensive secondary was ranked number one in the ACC. That’s pretty impressive considering they lost both of their starting cornerbacks, Ryan Carter and Marcus Edmond, and starting safety Van Smith. from last year. The injuries suffered by these players led to a lot of playing time for Trayvon Mullen, Mark Fields, A.J. Terrell and even wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud.
The projected starters are Mullen and Terrell at corner. with K’Von Wallace and Tanner Muse at safety. Muse was overtaken by Simmons last year at strong safety, but a move to free safety could be beneficial and play more to his strengths. Wallace will be the hard hitting, strong safety this year despite playing as the more rangey, free safety from last year. Wallace actually started last year’s depth chart at cornerback, but has shown amazing versatility and will be on his third position in two years.
The freshmen recruits have provided some depth for a defensive unit that had problems with injuries last year. Mario Goodrich and Kyler McMichael add to what was a very thin corps of cornerbacks when camp started. Sophomores LeAnthony Williams and Brian Dawkins Jr. look to be the primary backups for Fields, Terrell and Mullen so far, but the freshmen are talented and gaining ground.
The safety depth is about the same. Sophomore Nolan Turner, son of former safety Kevin Turner (teammates with head coach Dabo Swinney at Alabama,) has made some plays in his limited time so far. He took down Lamar Jackson in space during Clemson’s win over Louisville in 2016 and shoved a blocker into a Miami returner causing a fumble in last year’s ACC Championship game.
Muse will be backed up by redshirt junior Denzel Johnson and graduate Ryan Cote. If the injuries stack up in the secondary like they did last year, Clemson could be in some serious trouble.
The real potency of this unit is not in their individual strengths, but their play as a full unit. Venables has complex concepts that translate really well if everyone plays where they are supposed to, but poor awareness and slow reflexes will be detrimental to their cohesiveness. Tanner Muse has a chance to make an impact again and he should, but patience will be key for him. One breakdown at the second level can doom plays before they even begin, so it’s important they are all on the same page.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Goodrich or McMichael step up as safety at some point just like Wallace did last season if poor play or injuries rear their ugly head. Of all of the defensive units Clemson has, this one will be put to the test early and more often.
