Clemson Defense Named Best Front-Seven In Nation

Wes Goodwin is taking over a loaded Clemson defense.

The Tigers are as talented and as deep as any team in the nation along the defensive line and despite losing both James Skalski and Baylon Spector, the linebacker group is expected to be as good, possibly even better than a season ago.

The front-seven looks to be so good, in fact, that CBS Sports has named it tops in the country.

If coach Dabo Swinney’s crew is going to get back to the top of the college football world this year, it’ll be on the heels of one of the best defenses — personnel-wise — that he’s ever produced. Superstar Bryan Bresee will anchor the middle of the line of scrimmage and, when healthy, is the top defensive lineman in the country. Add Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry at edge, and the line should be devastating. The linebacking corps will be led by Trenton Simpson, who had 64 tackles, 12.5 which were for a loss, last season. The only real question here is if the success former defensive coordinator Brent Venables had during his tenure in the upstate can be replicated by new defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.– Barrett Sallee

Coming in at No. 2 was Alabama, with Washington, Baylor and Oklahoma State rounding out the Top-5.