Ask anyone following Clemson football in the last four years what the team’s greatest strength is, and chances are they will say defense. Around 2021, the Tigers flipped from Wide Receiver University to Defensive Line University, but could the tides be turning again?
Since Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell were selected in the third and fifth rounds of the 2021 NFL draft, no wide receivers from Clemson have been drafted to the pros. Justyn Ross signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022, though he has seen minimal field time since. Six defensive linemen, however, were called up between 2021 and 2024, bringing the total number of active Tigers in the front seven to 13.
In recent seasons when the offense has struggled to build steam, it was the defense keeping them in the battle. As of late, the defense has stumbled through games, most notably last weekend when 18 missed tackles allowed South Carolina to declare victory in the Palmetto Bowl.
“I’m sick to my stomach. We did not plan for it to go this way, just wanted to finish out strong as the season ended,” linebacker Barrett Carter said on Saturday. “My last home game here and last regular season game, I just wanted to finish strong, and we failed to do that.”
In 2023, Clemson finished with the No. 8 total defense in the nation and No. 52 total offense. As of Sunday, those rankings have completely flipped — the offense now holds the No. 8 spot, and the defense has dropped to No. 57.
The numbers don’t lie; the Tigers have allowed nearly a yard more per play, 70 yards more per game and 500 more yards total since last year.
It’s not that defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin’s unit doesn’t have talent. Young standouts like T.J. Parker, Peter Woods and Vic Burley have proven their skill time and time again, but seem to be faltering in the most important statistics. After allowing The Citadel 288 rushing yards — a team whose season average is 175.1 — concerns have heightened regarding the Tigers’ ground attack.
On the other hand, the receiving core has been gaining traction. After peaking in 2018 with 14.1 yards per reception, Clemson bottomed out in 2021 with a mere 10.9 yards per catch. Since then, the unit has been clawing its way back up to where it now sits at an average of 11.75.
The keys to the kingdom lay in the hands of quarterback Cade Klubnik and his top three receivers: Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. Together, the quartet has breathed new life into the air attack, with Klubnik hitting the 3,000-yard marker and his top receivers all over 500 yards this season.
Ahead of the conference championship this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, against SMU — whose biggest weakness is its inclination for penalties costing precious yardage — the Tigers will need to adjust to their strengths and weaknesses to bring another Clemson Championship home.
