It’s no secret Clemson’s strength on the defensive side of the football this year will come in the secondary. The Tigers return three starters in the defensive backfield, as well as its top two reserve safeties.
Junior A.J. Terrell is an All-ACC candidate at cornerback, while seniors Tanner Muse and K’Von Wallace return as starters at safety. Junior Nolan Turner and senior Denzel Johnson are also back as reserve safeties, following a year when both came up big for Clemson and provided much needed depth at the positions.
As the top-ranked Tigers prepare for Thursday’s season opener against Georgia Tech, those five believe the cohesion in the backfield is a lot better than it was in the spring, despite having a new corner in Derion Kendrick, as well as a lot of freshmen who will play at both safety and cornerback this year.