Clemson Football: 3 biggest questions facing Tigers for 2020 season

2. Can the Clemson football defense replace its stars?

The Clemson Tigers sent four defensive players to the NFL. That might not seem like a lot considering the mass exodus of players that left LSU. Sometimes, however, it is not how many you lose, but who you lose.

First, the Tigers lose generational talent, Isaiah Simmons. Next, they lose both of their starting safeties K’Von Wallace and Tanner Muse. Finally, they lost defensive back A.J. Terrell. That is a lot of all-conference, NFL-caliber talent leaving Death Valley East.

Despite the attrition on defense, there is a lot of talent on that side of the ball. Even with the loss of a talent like Simmons, this could be the most talented defense Brent Venables has had at Clemson.

The defensive line is deep and stacked. The Tigers return a fully healthy Xavier Thomas to anchor a talented returning front four. A front four that includes two four-star players. However, the returning veterans are going to have to compete for snaps.

The Tigers welcome the No. 1 player in the country to campus defensive lineman Brian Bresee and the No. 7 player in the country defensive end Myles Murphy. To say their defensive line is stacked and deep is an understatement.

Though they lost a lot in their secondary, their 2019 recruiting class included five-star defensive back Andrew Booth. We’ll see how long it takes for this young talent to mature this season.