As 2021 class expands, few spots remain on the defense: Who leads to fill those spots?

If you want a seat in Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class, you might want to make a decision sooner rather than later.

Clemson added the 13th commitment for the 2021 recruiting cycle Tuesday with the addition of four-star defensive end Zaire Patterson of Winston-Salem (NC) Winston-Salem Prep. The Tigers will take somewhere in the 18-20 range for this class, and certain spots seem to be full.

So where do the Tigers stand at the defensive position groups, with just 5-7 spots remaining?

We will start with the defensive line. My expectation was that the coaches would take two defensive ends this cycle, and the addition of Patterson to Cade Denhoff – who committed earlier this season – would seem to fill both of those spots.