Quote:Clemson was supposed to have an elite-level defense led by a dominant defensive front this season. However, 2020 had other plans. Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding a season played in a pandemic, Brent Venables’ unit was not once at full strength and never really had a chance to play to their potential.

With Nolan Turner confirming earlier this week that he will take advantage of the extra year of eligibility and come back next season, that means that Venables will get all eleven starters back on defense in 2021.

That isn’t all he is getting back, though. Xavier Thomas has announced he will be returning and it is expected that Justin Foster will also be back. That basically gives the Tigers 13 returning starters on the defensive side of the ball seeing as Thomas and Foster were supposed to be the starting ends in 2020.

Tyler Davis was banged up most of the season and Derion Kendrick seemed to stay in the doghouse. Even when Kendrick was on the field he looked like a guy that had one foot out the door. James Skalski, Mike Jones Jr, Andrew Booth Jr, and Lannden Zanders also missed chunks of time and played at less than 100% for large parts of the season. Hopefully that is all behind them when spring practice kicks off in about six weeks and everyone will be back and fully healthy.

Quote:This will be a defense that should come out hungry and motivated in 2021. The way the season ended will not sit well with anyone on that side of the ball, including Venables. It is a safe bet that the Tigers defensive coordinator will make sure any necessary tweaks are made to ensure his group plays to the best of their abilities next season.