The Clemson Tigers’ Rushing Defense: A Key Downfall This Season
The Clemson Tigers, historically one of college football’s most dominant programs, have long been known for their stout defense, which has been a cornerstone of their success. However, the 2024 season has brought a surprising and concerning vulnerability for the Tigers: their rushing defense. In a season marked by high expectations, Clemson’s struggles against the run have emerged as a key factor in their downfall. This article examines how Clemson’s rushing defense became a weakness, the impact it has had on their performance, and what needs to change for the Tigers to reclaim their defensive dominance in the future.
Clemson’s Historical Strengths: The Defense and the Rush
For much of their success under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Clemson Tigers have been known for their aggressive and efficient defense. Particularly, their defensive line, which has produced NFL-caliber talent year after year, has made them a feared unit against the run. In past seasons, Clemson boasted some of the best rushing defenses in the country, thanks to players like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Clelin Ferrell. These players anchored a defense that was known for stuffing the run and putting immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The defensive line, combined with an intelligent and aggressive linebacker corps, created a defensive identity that was synonymous with toughness, discipline, and the ability to shut down the run. This reputation was built on a foundation of exceptional recruiting, well-executed schemes, and a defensive coordinator in Brent Venables who was masterful at adjusting to opponents and shutting down their rushing attacks.
However, the 2024 season has seen a shift. For the first time in years, Clemson’s defense has shown cracks in its ability to stop the run, leading to a significant decline in overall performance. The rushing defense issues have been especially alarming given Clemson’s reputation as a defensive powerhouse.
Key Reasons for the Decline in Rushing Defense
Several factors have contributed to Clemson’s decline in rushing defense this season. Understanding these factors requires a deep dive into both the schematic and personnel issues that have plagued the Tigers.
1. Loss of Elite Defensive Talent
One of the most glaring reasons for Clemson’s struggles in stopping the run has been the loss of elite defensive talent over the past few seasons. While the Tigers have continued to recruit at a high level, replacing players like Wilkins, Lawrence, and Ferrell has proven to be a challenging task. The defensive line, once a strength, has seen a drop-off in its ability to dominate at the point of attack.
In 2024, Clemson’s defensive front has lacked the same level of depth and star power. While players like Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee were expected to step up and fill the void left by their predecessors, inconsistency and injuries have disrupted their effectiveness. As a result, the Tigers have struggled to impose their will on opposing offensive lines, allowing running backs to gain significant yards and break off big runs.
2. Injuries to Key Defensive Players
Injuries have played a critical role in Clemson’s defensive struggles. While it is difficult to blame a single factor for the decline in rushing defense, injuries to key players have certainly disrupted the Tigers’ defensive cohesion. For example, the loss of linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for several games due to injury has been particularly damaging. Trotter, a dynamic and sideline-to-sideline player, was instrumental in helping to fill the gaps against the run and provide leadership on the field.
In addition to Trotter, several members of the defensive line have missed time with injuries, further limiting Clemson’s ability to consistently stop the run. When key players are unavailable or playing through injuries, it significantly hampers the defense’s ability to stay disciplined and execute their assignments, which is vital when facing the power-running schemes common in college football.
3. A Shift in Defensive Scheme
Under Brent Venables, Clemson’s defense was known for its aggressive and unpredictable schemes. Venables often dialed up blitzes and stunts to confuse opposing offenses and disrupt the running game. However, with Venables now gone and Wes Goodwin stepping into the role of defensive coordinator, the scheme has undergone some changes.
Goodwin has implemented a more traditional approach, focusing on discipline and gap control. While this approach has worked in certain situations, it has also shown limitations, especially when facing offenses that excel at power running or zone blocking. In particular, Clemson’s defensive line has struggled to maintain gap integrity, which has allowed running backs to find creases and break off big runs. Additionally, the lack of stunts and blitzes has made it easier for offensive lines to get to the second level and block linebackers, further weakening Clemson’s rushing defense.
4. Opposing Offensive Schemes
Clemson’s defensive struggles against the run have not just been about their own deficiencies but also about the evolution of opposing offenses. Many teams in college football have adapted their rushing schemes to exploit the weaknesses in Clemson’s defense.
For example, teams that rely on zone-blocking schemes have been able to stretch the Clemson defense and create running lanes. The Tigers’ defensive line, while talented, has struggled to disengage from blockers, and linebackers have been slow to read plays, leading to large gains on the ground. Furthermore, some teams have adopted a more physical, smash-mouth style of running, which has caused issues for Clemson’s defensive front, especially when the Tigers have not been able to match the intensity at the line of scrimmage.
5. Lack of Depth in the Secondary
While the defensive line and linebackers are primarily responsible for stopping the run, the secondary also plays an important role in run defense. In 2024, Clemson’s secondary has struggled at times to support the run game, particularly in situations where opposing teams run wide or outside zone plays.
Clemson’s safeties, while talented, have been inconsistent in their run support, often biting on play-action or failing to read the run properly. In addition, the cornerbacks have sometimes been caught out of position, leading to missed tackles or big plays in space. A lack of consistent run support from the secondary has put even more pressure on the defensive line and linebackers, exacerbating the team’s issues.
Impact on Clemson’s Season
Clemson’s struggles against the run have had a direct impact on their performance this season. Several games were decided by the Tigers’ inability to stop opposing running backs from taking over games. A notable example came in their matchup against a highly-ranked team with a potent rushing attack, where Clemson allowed over 200 yards rushing, including multiple explosive runs that set up easy scoring opportunities.
The inability to stop the run has also impacted Clemson’s offense. When the defense struggles to get stops, the offense is forced to play catch-up, leading to a more one-dimensional attack. Clemson’s offensive line, while solid, has been forced into a situation where they have to score quickly and often, taking away from the time of possession and putting additional pressure on the defense.
Furthermore, Clemson’s declining defensive performance has had a psychological impact on the team. The Tigers, once known for their ability to dominate on defense, have seen their confidence erode over the course of the season. Opponents have come to expect success on the ground against Clemson, and the Tigers have not been able to adjust or make the necessary in-game corrections to stop the bleeding.
What Needs to Change?
For Clemson to bounce back in 2025 and beyond, a number of adjustments are needed. First and foremost, recruiting and player development must focus on rebuilding the defensive line to its former level of dominance. This means landing elite prospects who can plug gaps, pressure quarterbacks, and disrupt the run game. Additionally, the defensive coaching staff must continue to adapt their schemes to keep up with the evolving offensive strategies in college football.
Injuries are inevitable, but depth is key to mitigating their impact. Clemson must continue to develop young talent and ensure that there are capable backups ready to step in when needed. More specifically, linebacker play needs to improve in both run support and coverage, and the secondary must provide better support against the run.
Finally, the overall mindset of the defense must return to the aggressive, high-intensity style that made Clemson great in the past. Venables’ departure may have changed the defensive identity, but the team must find ways to recapture the aggressive mentality that defines championship-caliber defenses.
