CLEMSON – Go ahead and doubt Xavier Thomas and the Clemson defensive line. It fuels their motivation.
Thomas and the rest of the defensive line are faced with the task of replacing four starters and key reserves in Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Albert Huggins, Chris Register, and Austin Bryant. Losing that much talent – three of them were first-round picks – is a daunting task and many around the country think there will be a major dropoff.
Thomas doesn’t mind the talk.