Heisman Trophy 2018: 5 defensive players who could spoil the party

By Dana Becker | Dec 12, 2017

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes #76 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers* of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

A redshirt sophomore along one of the top defensive lines in the country, Clelin Ferrell will have the opportunity to continue his career on Sundays after the College Football Playoff.

But if Ferrell opts to return for Clemson next year, he’ll have the chance to improve on a career-season this past year.

Last year, Ferrell made 44 tackles, had 12.5 stops for loss and six sacks. This season, even with the Tigers returning some excellent players next to him, Ferrell improved his numbers to 62 tackles, 17 of which were for loss and 8.5 sacks.

He also forced a pair of fumbles and patted down a pass from his position in the trenches.

The 6-5, 260-pound defensive end made 12 tackles against NC State in a key regular season contest, with nine of them being solo stops. He also had 3.5 sacks vs. Syracuse.

Clemson will play Alabama for a third time in the College Football Playoff, with the defending national champions meeting them in the semifinals in the Sugar Bowl.

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