Clemson’s defensive struggles began well before the season even started, primarily due to the coaching staff’s decision not to pursue an all-conference caliber defensive end from the transfer portal. Head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive ends coach Chris Rumph both expressed confidence in the current roster during the preseason, stating they felt secure with the players they had and didn’t feel the need for external additions. In hindsight, this proved to be a significant oversight.
The Tigers’ defense, particularly against the run, experienced its worst performance since 1975. One of the most glaring issues was the inability to set the edge on the left side of the line, which was especially exposed when facing balanced offenses. Clemson allowed 4.7 yards per rush, the highest average they had conceded in nearly half a century. Overall, the Tigers gave up an average of 160.6 rushing yards per game, marking their worst total since 2011.
Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin acknowledged that the team would conduct a thorough self-scout review at the end of the season to assess the defensive issues. This would include analyzing trends from games, reviewing coverage schemes, personnel groupings, and other key factors to formulate a plan for improvement. However, he noted that recruiting efforts would not commence until mid-January, leaving the Tigers to focus on evaluating the season and planning for the future.
Clemson has already started addressing the issues by adding a key defensive piece in the form of Will Heldt, an all-conference defensive end who transferred from Purdue. Heldt, who played the last two seasons with the Boilermakers, contributed significantly with 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. While this addition is a step in the right direction, it comes a year too late, and there are still lingering issues to address on the defensive line. The tackling was inconsistent, players were frequently out of position, and there were too many busted plays throughout the season.
In summary, Clemson’s defense has a long road ahead to make significant improvements, and the coaching staff recognizes the need for more adjustments. Goodwin remarked that each season is unique, and this one has highlighted several areas that require attention and repair moving forward.
