Clemson’s defense finished the 2017 campaign fourth nationally in total defense allowing only 276.7 yards per game, fifth in sacks with 3.29 per game, and 12th in team tackles-for-loss with 7.8 per game.
A major contributor to the Tigers’ success defensively was graduate linebacker and team leader Dorian O’Daniel. He finished the season with 104 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, six quarterback pressures, and a pair of interceptions for touchdowns.
The fifth-year player earned second team All-America honors form AP and AFCA as well as second-team All-ACC honors. As a co-captain he led the Clemson defense to a third-consecutive College Football Playoff and took the Tigers to another level at the linebacker position.