Clemson Football: Who will step up to replace Dexter Lawrence?

Clemson football finds itself missing three-year starter Dexter Lawrence due to an unfortunate failed drug test. Who replaces him against Notre Dame?

The story of the weekend was that of Dexter Lawrence. Over a span of a few days, Lawrence became the talking point for most major sports networks. The Clemson defensive attack changed quite a bit and Clemson fans everywhere became experts in Ostarine.

Lawrence’s emotions were worn on his face Wednesday evening as he expressed to the world that he had “honestly no idea what happened.”

The defensive tackle failed both drug tests alongside offensive guard Zach Giella and freshman tight end Braden Galloway due to trace amounts of a banned substance named Ostarine. The players expressed that they initially thought the failed drug tests may have been a joke but this is unfortunately not in any way, shape or form.

The Tigers’ defensive line made national headlines at the start of the season as they retained Clellin Ferell, Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins for one last season. All four of the starters wished to enter the 2019 NFL Draft together after another huge season and ride off into the sunset.

Lawrence is undoubtedly a huge loss, but thankfully the loss is masked by the other three names listed above. Tigers have incredible depth along the defensive line and even though the loss of the true junior hurts, the Tigers are not without hope. The solution to the issue lies in senior defensive tackle Albert Huggins. He has served as the backup for Lawrence all season long.

Although he served behind Lawrence for close to three seasons now, the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder has racked up 24 tackles with 3.5 for loss with 11 quarterback hurries (third for the Tigers). Huggins stepped onto Clemson’s campus in 2015 as the No. 12 defensive end nationally and the No. 90 player nationally. Though listed as a defensive end, he was a monster in the middle of the line with the size to back his talent. He could’ve played defensive end in some systems due to his pure athleticism and sub-5.40 speed could place him on the outside of the defensive line should the need arose.

The South Carolina-native fell behind in the depth chart when former defensive tackle Scott Pagano transferred due to the emergence of Wilkins and Lawrence. Falling behind the younger talents, Huggins remained faithful to the team that signed him and played along the second-string defensive line.

The senior will earn his third start in 33 games in one of the most important games of Clemson’s season. Clemson will trade out talented youth for a seasoned veteran in a game that will decide their College Football Playoff fate. Huggins is ready to take the field and have a famed ‘senior moment’.

With the news that Lawrence wouldn’t play Huggins said “Whatever happens, happens. As long as I know I gave it my all, I’m fine.”

Clemson is still favored by a 13-point margin over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish heading into the Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 29 and will be broadcasted on ESPN. Be sure to check out Zach Bigalke’s preview of the matchup here.