Another year, another reload for Clemson’s defense

For the second year in a row, Brent Venables will begin fall practice with the task of rebuilding a Clemson defense with several holes. He excelled at doing it in 2015, but insists the challenge heading into this season is greater.

The Tigers return only four starters from last year’s unit, and the guys expected to fill in don’t have much experience.

“I think it’s the same in that we have X number to replace in terms of starters, but I think we had guys that had more of a résumé coming into it,” Venables said Tuesday.

Clemson returned only three starters on defense entering the 2015 season before the unit excelled, finishing ranked 10^th in the country in total defense, allowing only 313 yards per game.

But the Tigers also had players moving into starting roles who had proven they could play at an elite level.

Defensive end Shaq Lawson recorded 11.5 tackles for loss in a reserve role as a sophomore. Ben Boulware finished sixth on the team in tackles in 2014 despite limited opportunities. B.J. Goodson and T.J. Green combined for 58 tackles, even though they had only seven combined starts the previous year.

Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Dorian O’Daniel, Kendall Joseph, Marcus Edmond, Jadar Johnson and Van Smith, the seven players listed atop the Tigers’ post-spring depth chart where starters aren’t returning, have combined for four interceptions, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three starts.

Venables is keeping expectations low for now, but he knows the Tigers have plenty of talent to have another strong year.

Still, he said his 2012 group that allowed nearly 400 yards per game was talented as well, but didn’t have everything necessary to be a strong defense.

“Talent is fine and it gives you a chance. We had talent in 2012, too. A lot of those guys that were on the 2012 defense were on the 2014 defense that was dominant,” he said. “But in 2012 we weren’t very good. I think through experience and improvement and maturity and development and leadership we got better.”

Venables is hopeful Clemson will get better quickly this preseason before opening up with a tough game at Auburn Sept. 3.

“I can promise you not many people are going to feel bad for Clemson,” Venables said. “It’s going to be a great challenge. … They’re good across the board at exposing you. They’ve got equal talent across the board. Auburn presents a lot of challenges, but we’re going to worry about us right now.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 10:17 PM.