Clemson Football Summer Roster Check In: Defense

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Spring practice is done, the Spring Transfer Portal isn’t a thing anymore, and unless someone departs the program like the old days Clemson’s roster is pretty much set for 2026. But beyond this year there is also the numbers game looking to 2027. The breakdown can also give us an indication of who may be more likely to leave or stick around, especially as playing time evolves over the 2026 year. Earlier this week we covered the offense, you can read that breakdown here.

DT: 10 (1 RS Senior, 2 RS Junior, 1 Junior, 3 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore, 1 RS Freshman, 1 Freshman)

Clemson finally has numbers again at DT, but with departures along the DL it is tough to be optimistic about the group — even if they had underperformed. Vic Burley and Amare Adams are your legacy recognizable names. Though recognizable doesn’t mean good This could be a more “DT by committee” season unless guys really step up and separate themselves. The good thing for everyone is they will have an opportunity to put in the effort and show they deserve snaps. A lot of hope is being stuck on Oklahoma transfer Markus Strong. We will see how that shakes out. Hopefully some of the poor performances in the past were due to poor effort and not a lack of talent.

DE: 8 (2 RS Senior, 1 Senior, 1 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore, 1 RS Freshman, 1 Freshman)

This group should probably be called “Will Heldt and people” I know some are optimistic/hopeful about the DL, possibly based on historic performances and not reality, but DE is rough. Colorado transfer London Merritt is probably anchoring the other side of the line. He had a promising year at Colorado but will that translate to Clemson? Even if there is potential here there isn’t much depth, and certainly not experienced depth. If Heldt or Merritt gets injured this could get ugly fast. Clemson’s line has done best when it is two deep with almost no drop off. Hard to see that happening here.

LB: 7 (1 RS Senior, 1 RS Junior, 1 Junior, 2 RS Sophomore, 1 RS Freshman, 1 Freshman)

A good mix of experience, obviously the main character is Sammy Brown. But we have a Woodaz! (No, not that one) and this could be a case where a transfer, Jeremiah Alexander joined in 2025, could play a significant role.

CB: 8 (1 RS Senior, 1 Senior, 1 RS Junior, 1 Junior, 1 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore, 2 Freshman)

We are definitely going to be doing some “In Mike Reed We Trust” here this year. No obvious shut down corner is here, like Avieon Terrell even if he was a bit handsy, so guys will get to play. Thankfully there is a wide mix of experience. Opportunities if young guys are ready but also some guys who should be ready to contribute after being here for several seasons.

S: 10 (1 RS Senior, 1 Senior, 2 RS Junior, 2 Junior, 1 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore, 1 RS Freshman, 1 Freshman)

Perhaps the most disappointing position last year. I’d love to promise hope and optimism in 2026. But this group will be squarely in the “Prove it” bucket. Nolan Turner is the new safeties coach after serving for 2 years as an analyst/development coach. Let’s hope his work ethic rubs off on these guys. Despite his lack of experience, the hope would be his experience having to be smarter at the position to overcome physical deficiencies.

ST: 5 (2 RS Senior, 1 Junior, 1 RS Sophomore, 1 Freshman)

We’ve got punters, kickers, and long snappers. What more do we need? What, do you want accuracy and distance? That’s a different conversation and that only happens to our opponents.

Like the offense, we have a good mix of experience across all positions. But probably more questions on what that experience is going to bring to the table. It is hard to be optimistic here. We are putting a lot of blind faith in coaching and the next man up actually producing. We’ll see what happens.

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