Clemson Secondary Looks to be Elite, Again

CLEMSON — Prior to last season, Dabo Swinney put an emphasis on better play in the secondary.

He got what he wanted.

Despite playing some of the best quarterbacks in college football last season, Clemson’s secondary stepped up and stepped up big. The Tigers had one of the best groups in the country last year, as they ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing yards allowed, passing yards allowed per game, completion percentage defense, interceptions, passing yards per attempt and pass efficiency defense.

Clemson allowed just 173.2 passing yards per game in 2023, which ranked eighth nationally. The Tigers also allowed just 13 passing touchdowns (11 ^th nationally), while intercepting 16 passes.

They will have some pieces to replace this fall, such as Nate Wiggins at cornerback and veteran Jalyn Phillips at safety, but a large part of the unit is returning. Jeadyn Lukus, Avieon Terrell and Shelton Lewis return with the most experience at cornerback, while R.J. Mickens, Tyler Venables and Khalil Barnes will spearhead the safety positions.

At cornerback, Lucas will be back from an injury that caused him to miss the second half of the season, but the physical and tall corner has played in 18 games and started four the last two years.

Because of injuries to Lukus and former Tiger Sheridan Jones, Lewis and Terrell had to step in and play a lot in 2023. Lewis enters his sophomore season after breaking up seven passes as a freshman, including two interceptions — one he returned 46-yards for a touchdown. He played in all 13 games and earned two starts.

Terrell continued the family lineage at Clemson. Looking like his brother, former Tiger AJ Terrell, Avieon Terrell had six pass breakups last fall to go along with an interception. He too played in 13 games and started five of them.

According to PFF, Terrell is considered one of the best corners in the country this coming season.

At safety, Mickens is back with 144 career tackles including 7.5 for loss. He also has five interceptions and eight passes broken up in 47 career games with 17 starts. Venables missed most of last season due to injury, but he is anxious to get back on the field.

Though he is returning from injury, Venables has played in 36 games in his career already, including two starts.

Barnes, who is from Athens, Ga., had one of the best first seasons by a Clemson safety in years. The versatile defensive back was credited with 41 tackles (five for loss), six pass breakups, a team-high three interceptions, three forced fumbles, a sack and a fumble recovery, which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

He recorded 499 snaps in 13 games and had seven starts. He was one of three players in the country—and the only freshman—with at least three interceptions, three or more forced fumbles and one sack in 2023.

Clemson will open the season against Georgia on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

— Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story

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