Once again, Clemson is expected to field a really strong defensive unit in 2024.
Led by a dominant defensive front, the Tigers were No. 8 in total defense last season, holding opponents to just 287.8 yards per game. Where Clemson’s defense took its biggest jump a season ago was defending the pass. The Tigers were also No. 8 in that respect, allowing just 173.2 passing yards per contest.
Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin is expecting his unit to once again be stingy, and feels really good about the Tigers’ defense heading into the start of fall camp.
“I feel like we are in a really good spot,” Goodwin said at Clemson’s annual Media Day. “I feel like every day this spring we got better as a unit. We stacked a lot of good days together. Feel like all that momentum and chemistry carried over into the summer.”
Where the defense could use some improvement is against the run. Clemson was just No. 22 in rushing defense, allowing 114.2 yards per game. While that is certainly a respectable number, Goodwin expects better.
“My expectation is that we take another step this year,” Goodwin said. “We finished eighth in total defense last year and hopefully we can improve upon that. We got a great room staff wise, we are pulling in the same direction, but at the end of the day, those guys know my expectations going into the season.”
Despite losing several players along the defensive front to the NFL, including Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro and Xavier Thomas, Clemson returns a lot of experienced talent. TJ Parker, DeMonte Capehart, Tre Williams and Peter Woods are all back. So does Payton Page and Vic Burley is also now fully healthy and ready to go after missing his freshman season with an injury.
However, it’s the back seven that really gets Goodwin excited. With Barrett Carter, Wade Woodaz and freshman sensation Sammy Brown manning the linebacker spots, the Tigers are extremely fast and athletic. It is arguably one of the best linebacker rooms in the country.
The secondary is just as loaded. RJ Mickens and Tyler Venables provide a wealth of experience at safety. Freshman All-American Khalil Barnes is also back, as is Sherrod Covil, who is returning from injury.
Nate Wiggins will have to be replaced at corner, but Aveion Terrell, who shined as a freshman a season ago, is expected to man one of the corner spots. Shelton Lewis also flashed during his first season and is a candidate to win a starting job. The wildcard could be Jeadyn Lukus, who has struggled with injuries over his first two seasons. If he is healthy, he is as good as, or possibly even better than most. Add in Corian Gipson and Tavoy Feagin, both true freshmen that enrolled early, and there is a ton of quality depth.
“I feel like we are really fast and athletic,” Goodwin said. “Obviously, we got some big dudes up front but on the backend, the back seven, we are really athletic and can run. You either got speed or you’re chasing it.”
It’s a defense that is littered with talent at all spots, and a unit that should be able to go toe-to-toe with any of the nation’s best.
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