The Clemson Tigers, a perennial powerhouse in college football, encountered unexpected struggles during the 2024 season, with their rushing defense emerging as a key factor in their downfall. While the Tigers are known for their dominant defense and successful run-stopping units in past years, their inability to effectively halt opposing ground attacks significantly impacted their overall performance this season. This weakness contributed to the Tigers’ struggles in both conference play and national rankings, ultimately preventing them from securing a spot in the College Football Playoff and leading to a disappointing finish in an otherwise promising season.
Clemson’s Rushing Defense in 2024: A Vulnerability Exposed
For much of the Dabo Swinney era, Clemson’s defense has been one of its most significant strengths, especially its ability to stifle opponents’ running games. Historically, the Tigers have boasted defensive lines filled with future NFL talent, such as Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Bryan Bresee, who made life miserable for opposing running backs. The unit’s success at stopping the run was a cornerstone of their national championship seasons and playoff appearances. However, in 2024, the Tigers’ defensive front found itself consistently outmatched, struggling to plug running lanes and contain running backs.
Several factors contributed to this defensive breakdown. One of the primary reasons was a lack of consistency along the defensive line, which had experienced some turnover from previous seasons. While Clemson still featured some high-level talent, injuries and inconsistency from younger players led to an inability to generate pressure at the line of scrimmage. Furthermore, opposing offensive lines were able to consistently create holes and establish the run, giving their quarterbacks time and space to operate and opening up play-action opportunities.
Key Deficiencies in the Defensive Front Seven
Clemson’s front seven, responsible for stopping the run, lacked the depth and star power that had defined past units. The defensive line, although still talented, was not as imposing as it had been in previous seasons. Players like Tyler Davis and Cade Denhoff, while competent, were unable to disrupt the running game as effectively as past stars like Wilkins or Lawrence had. As a result, the Tigers were often outmuscled in the trenches, allowing opponents to gain significant yardage on the ground.
Moreover, the linebacker corps, traditionally known for its speed and playmaking ability, struggled with tackling consistency and positioning. Clemson’s linebackers found it difficult to diagnose plays quickly, and missed tackles became a persistent issue. The combination of a weakened defensive line and less effective linebacker play made it easier for teams to find success on the ground. Whether it was power runs up the middle or outside zone schemes, Clemson’s defense struggled to contain opposing running backs, leading to long, sustained drives that wore down the Tigers’ defense.
Impact on Clemson’s Season
Clemson’s inability to stop the run became evident early in the 2024 season. In the opening games, the Tigers faced strong running teams and were unable to slow them down. The season opener against a physical team exposed Clemson’s rushing defense as a significant weakness, as they were gashed for over 200 yards on the ground. The failure to halt the run compounded other issues, such as an inconsistent offense, which left the defense on the field longer than it would have liked.
As the season progressed, the problem worsened. In key matchups against ACC rivals like Florida State, North Carolina, and Notre Dame, the rushing defense proved to be a liability. Against Florida State, the Tigers allowed 250 rushing yards in a devastating loss that exposed their inability to stop the Seminoles’ dynamic ground game. Florida State’s running backs exploited the middle of the field with ease, dragging defenders for additional yards after contact and frustrating Clemson’s defense throughout the game.
The game against North Carolina was no different. The Tar Heels’ potent offense, led by quarterback Drake Maye, utilized a balanced attack that included both the air and the ground game. North Carolina’s running back committee racked up over 200 yards on the ground, eating up clock and keeping the Clemson offense off the field. Notre Dame also capitalized on the Tigers’ rushing defense vulnerability, running the ball at will in a convincing victory over Clemson.
By the time the Tigers reached the latter half of the season, it was clear that their defense was no longer the imposing force it once was. Opponents began to target Clemson’s rushing defense as a weakness, and the inability to adapt to these challenges ultimately led to multiple losses.
Tackling and Scheme Adjustments
Part of the reason for Clemson’s struggle with rushing defense was poor tackling. As previously mentioned, missed tackles became a significant issue. The Tigers’ defense seemed to lack the physicality and discipline it had shown in previous seasons. It was particularly evident when defenders failed to wrap up runners or missed key tackles in the open field. This inability to stop runners in their tracks allowed opponents to gain extra yards, extend drives, and wear down the defense.
In response, Clemson’s coaching staff attempted to make adjustments throughout the season. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin tried multiple schemes to stop the run, including shifting to a more aggressive approach and rotating in more defensive linemen to keep players fresh. However, the adjustments often lacked effectiveness, and teams continued to exploit the same weaknesses. Additionally, Clemson’s defensive backfield, while talented in pass coverage, was frequently drawn into run-support situations, leaving gaps in coverage when play-action was utilized effectively against the struggling rush defense.
The Road to Recovery: What Can Clemson Do?
The downfall of Clemson’s season due to rushing defense presents a significant challenge for Dabo Swinney and his staff. For the Tigers to return to their dominant form and regain their spot among the elite teams in college football, they will need to address several key areas of concern.
First, the coaching staff will need to recruit and develop more dominant defensive linemen who can set the tone in the trenches. Clemson has a long history of producing NFL-caliber defensive linemen, and the Tigers will need to return to their roots of developing strong, disruptive players. The defensive line’s inability to win battles at the line of scrimmage in 2024 was a major factor in their struggles.
Second, the linebacker play must improve. Clemson will need to find or develop linebackers who can diagnose plays quickly, shed blockers, and wrap up in the open field. Improved tackling and faster reaction times are essential if Clemson is going to avoid repeating the same mistakes from this past season.
Finally, the defensive coaching staff must find ways to adjust their schemes to be more effective against the run. Whether it’s through more creative blitz packages or more dynamic defensive line stunts, Clemson will need to find a way to disrupt opposing running games before they can gain momentum.
