If the Clemson Tigers want to win the ACC Championship and earn a College Football Playoff spot in 2024, here are the main keys to their success on defense.
Under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers consistently have one of the top defenses in the country. That looks to be the case once again this year, as the Tigers defense is ranked No. 4 in the country heading into the 2024 season, according to ESPN.
The key to their success and hopes of winning the ACC Championship and making a run at the National Championship relies on a dominant defensive line.
College football games are won in the trenches. If the defensive line can force consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run behind the line of scrimmage, then teams are very limited offensively.
In 2023, the Tigers displayed how dominant they are on defense, allowing just 288.2 yards per game, which ranked eighth in the country. The defense also allowed only 173.6 passing yards per game in 2023, which also ranked eighth.
If the defensive line can force consistent pressure on the quarterback, even if they are not getting multiple sacks each game, consistent pressure irritates the quarterback and prevents them from getting in a rhythm with their receivers, leading to errant passes and more turnovers.
The defensive line is anticipated to be a force in 2024, and heading into the season, the Tigers defensive line is ranked ninth in the country, according to PFF.
The second key to success for this Tigers defense will be the development of their young talent.
It appears the Tigers might have two new stars on their team, who quickly emerged last year as vital parts of this defense.
During the 2023 recruiting cycle, the Tigers brought in defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive tackle Peter Woods, two players who proved their value quickly and displayed star potential.
Both Woods and Parker played in 12 games for the Tigers in 2023, and Woods was even named a Freshman All-American.
After losing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to the NFL this past offseason, the Tigers defense reloaded with the signing of five-star linebacker Sammy Brown, who looks to make another immediate impact.
If the Tigers defense can get consistent production from these three young players, Clemson fans can expect to see another dominant defense in 2024.
The Clemson Tigers path to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff spot in 2024 hinges on a dominant defensive line and the development of their young talent. With a top-ranked defense and promising new stars, the Tigers have the potential to maintain their defensive prowess and achieve their championship aspirations.
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