Clemson Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Linebackers

Middle linebacker: Kendall Joseph
Backup: Tre Lamar

Kendall Joseph last year was second on the team with 124 tackles and leads a group of athletic linebackers at Clemson in 2017. In 2016, he won the Most Improved Award and was tied of the lead in tackles for loss with 13.5 and 3.5 sacks.

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And his backup Tre Lamar made his mark on special teams last year with over 20 tackles.

Outside linebackers: Dorian O’Daniel, J. D. Davis
Backups: Shaq Smith, Jalen Williams

Dorian O’Daniel is the one starter coming back to the outside linebacking corps. Last year, he had 60 tackles, nine behind the line of scrimmage and 2.5 sacks.

J.D. Davis will be replacing Ben Boulware at the other linebacker position. The Tigers will miss him but the defense could be better because Davis brings more athleticism to the game.

Even though Jalen Williams is the junior and Shaq Smith is only a redshirt sophomore, expect to see Smith on defense more this year Williams.