With Clemson’s NFL decisions in, here is an early look at potential 2019 starters

Clemson had several underclassmen declare for the 2019 NFL draft, including star defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence. But the Tigers also received good news with Isaiah Simmons, Tanner Muse and others choosing to return to school. Here is an early look at what Clemson’s starting lineup could look like in 2019:

Quarterback

Dabo Swinney said after the 2019 season that Trevor Lawrence has to go out and earn the job again this offseason, but Lawrence will be the starter and a Heisman favorite going into the season.

Running back

Travis Etienne will be in the Heisman conversation as well after finishing seventh in 2018. Lyn-J Dixon should also see an increased number of carries after putting together a strong season in 2018 as a true freshman.

Receivers

Hunter Renfrow is moving on after an incredible career, but the Tigers have plenty of receivers ready to step up behind him. Justyn Ross should move into a starting role alongside Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers. If Clemson goes with more four-wide sets due to a lack of depth at tight end then Derion Kendrick could move into a starting role, while T.J. Chase and Diondre Overton will also be in the conversation.

Tight end

Braden Galloway or Garrett Williams are the most likely starters with eligibility remaining, but Galloway is facing a year-long suspension after testing positive for ostarine and Williams could leave the program to join the military. If those two are out of the mix J.C. Chalk will likely move into a starting role. Chalk played in all 15 games and caught a pair of passes in 2018.

Offensive line

The Tigers are losing a pair of starters in All-American Mitch Hyatt and All-ACC selection Justin Falcinelli, but they still return plenty of experience. Freshman Jackson Carman got better as the season went along and appears ready to move into Hyatt’s starting role. Gage Cervenka and Sean Pollard split time at right guard, but Cervenka also has experience at center and could slide over to replace Falcinelli, with Pollard moving into a full-time starter role.

Defensive line

Clemson must replace all four starters, but the Tigers have young, talented backups ready to step up. Xavier Thomas was a terror when he was in games this season, and the staff loves the way Justin Foster has developed. Those two are the favorites to earn the starting defensive end jobs, while K.J. Henry, Logan Rudolph and Justin Mascoll could also get in the mix. Nyles Pinckney and Xavier Kelly are the favorites to start at defensive tackle.

Linebackers

Tre Lamar is leaving for the NFL draft after his junior season and Kendall Joseph is graduating, but the Tigers received good news when leading tackler Isaiah Simmons opted to pass on the NFL draft. Simmons will maintain his starting role at the Nickel/Sam spot and will likely be joined by two of three of Shaq Smith, Chad Smith and James Skalski. For now we’ll project Chad Smith to start at Mike and Shaq Smith to start at Will.

Secondary

Clemson had one departure from its starting secondary with Trayvon Mullen entering the 2019 NFL draft, but the Tigers could have had three. Safeties Tanner Muse and K’Von Wallace opted to return for their senior seasons and they will be joined in the starting lineup by A.J. Terrell, who had a strong sophomore year. Mario Goodrich or Kyler McMichael are likely to replace Mullen, while five-star signee Andrew Booth could see the field early as well. Goodrich gets the nod for now as he played in more games and played more snaps than McMichael in 2018. Goodrich also had three pass breakups in only 113 snaps.

STARTING LINEUP PROJECTION

Quarterback- Trevor Lawrence

Running back- Travis Etienne

Receivers- Justyn Ross, Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers

Tight end- J.C. Chalk

Offensive line (left to right)- Jackson Carman, John Simpson, Gage Cervenka, Sean Pollard, Tremayne Anchrum

Defensive line- Xavier Thomas (DE), Nyles Pinckney (DT), Jordan Williams (DT), Justin Foster (DE)

Linebackers- Isaiah Simmons (N/S), Shaq Smith (W), Chad Smith (M)

Secondary- A.J. Terrell (CB), Mario Goodrich (CB), Tanner Muse (FS), K’Von Wallace (SS)

This story was originally published January 22, 2019 at 2:13 PM.