Why the return of Clemson’s D-line means so much more than terrorizing QBs
Clemson had clinched an ACC title and spot in the College Football Playoff the previous weekend, and its players had earned a much-needed break before beginning preparation for the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.
The Tigers coaching staff was on the road recruiting, and Clemson’s players were told they did not have any football responsibilities for a few days.
But as the media worked in Clemson’s indoor practice facility on the afternoon of Dec. 6 following interviews earlier in the day, Tigers defensive end Clelin Ferrell walked in with two younger defensive linemen dressed in gym clothes.
Ferrell took the two freshmen to the other side of the field and did a few warm-up drills before working on pass rushing techniques with them for more than half an hour.
While it is huge for Clemson to be getting back the production of Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant for 2018, that kind of leadership the Tigers are returning is also a big plus heading into 2018.
“They kind of set the tempo in regards to our work ethic, our attitude. They bring a lot of energy. They like to practice. They like the weight room. They like it all,” Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “It’s not a group of guys that you’ve got to pull any teeth to get ready to prepare and work, whether we’re playing The Citadel, Auburn or Alabama, it doesn’t matter. Our guys like to play the game.”
The production of the trio has been well documented and is a big reason why most expected the three to enter the NFL draft following this season.
Ferrell led Clemson with 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2017, while fellow defensive end Bryant was second with 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Wilkins added nine tackles for loss and five sacks from the defensive tackle position.
Venables added that one of the most impressive qualities of the trio is that they have stayed humbled despite all of their awards and accolades over the past few years.
Ferrell, Wilkins and Bryant all earned All-American honors by at least one publication in 2017.
“It’s not a group that’s really concerned with reading their press clippings and things of that nature. It’s a very humble, hard working, tough-minded group of guys that are selfless in everything that they do,” Venables said. “This has been a group that has been easy to coach because of their humility. They’re just a very grounded group of young men that all come from good mommas. And I say that sincerely. That’s why they are who they are. But I’m not surprised that they remained humble.”
Clemson is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in most early preseason polls for 2018 and Ferrell, Wilkins, Bryant and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence are a big reason why.
Tigers senior cornerback Ryan Carter expects those four to be stars in the NFL when their careers at Clemson are over.
“Our D-line is great. There’s a lot of great players on our D-line that are going to be in the NFL and be great and just be great in life,” Carter said. “I think, just the way they prepare, the way they do things in practice, the way they show younger guys how to practice, how to have that mentality, how to just do the little things the right way … Those guys are just very vocal when we huddle up as a defense, very vocal as far as in our meeting rooms and things like that. I think they’ve been a big, huge key to why we’re successful.”
This story was originally published January 21, 2018 at 9:15 AM with the headline "Why the return of Clemson’s D-line means so much more than terrorizing QBs."