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Clemson Football: 5 takeaways from national title-winning 2018 season

By Christian Candeloro

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: James Edwards #95 and Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebtate their teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: James Edwards #95 and Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebtate their teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

3. The defensive line lived up to the hype

Talk about a hype train that could’ve gone off the tracks. The Clemson defensive line featured four potential first round picks returning in 2018 and the college football world took notice. The defensive line was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, was the talk of the offseason and provided a massive reason that the Tigers were considered a contender again this season.

The defensive line did not disappoint at all. Clelin Ferrell (55 tackles, 20 TFL, 11.5 sacks), Christian Wilkins (51 tackles, 14 TFL, 5.5 sacks), Austin Bryant (45 tackles, 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks) and Dexter Lawrence (36 tackles, seven TFL, 1.5 sacks) teamed up to be one of the most explosive and disruptive lines in college football history. The Tigers defense rode to the top of college football on the back of the defensive line, ending as the No. 1 ranked defense and No. 4 ranked defense against the run.

The talent showed up against Alabama, as Tua Tagovailoa had zero time in the pocket all night long. The Tigers recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss against the Crimson Tide offensive line and made Alabama quarterbacks’ life miserable all night. The players returned for a National Championship win and they earned it.

Looking forward, the Tigers will likely have to replace all four players unless Ferrell or Lawrence returns, which is unlikely.

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