CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Clemson Tigers student fans cheer during their game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
With key pieces returning, Clemson’s defense will be among the nation’s best in 2024.
While players around the country continue to jump from one school to another, no team’s roster has been left unscathed. That’s true for Clemson, who has seen wide receiver Beaux Collins, the team’s leading receiver, move on to Notre Dame.
They’ve also been hit on the defensive side of the ball, where defensive backs Toriano Pride Jr. (Missouri) and Andrew Mukuba (Texas) both elected to transfer. With that said, the Tigers have also gotten a couple of surprise returns, with linebacker Barrett Carter and safety RJ Mickens electing to return.
Those announcements are massive for a team looking to land a spot in the first-ever 12-team college football playoff. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin’s unit is the reason Clemson was able to get eight wins this year and a spot in the upcoming TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. While the offense hopefully continues to grow, it appears that Clemson will still be able to lean on its defense.
Carter and Mickens will lead young but talented position groups. As a junior, Carter didn’t have the season he was hoping for, but he’s an NFL athlete and will be able to mentor five-star Sammy Brown and the rest of that group. Mickens will be a guiding hand for a young but immensely deep secondary. The defensive back room will return four freshmen who recorded interceptions in 2023 and four four-star recruits. The competition to get on the field will be fierce. Both Carter and Mickens are getting a chance to see what some of the new recruits can do during bowl prep.
