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YOUR BALANCE
Best defensive player under Dabo
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Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:17 AM

For me, it’s Isaiah Simmons. Versatility means so much. There’s not many players that can do so much at any given time at any given situation.
I’d feel comfortable lining him up at safety, I’d feel comfortable lining him up at corner, I’d feel
comfortable lining him up at linebacker. Hell, I’d be comfortable lining him up at defensive end. Thoughts ladies and gentlemen?

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:21 AM

Yeah, Simmons was the first one who came to my mind.

If I gotta throw out someone different I’ll say Christian Wilkins. His leadership was special.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:26 AM

Very good point. Talent and intangibles were off the charts for Wilkins +1

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:23 AM

Yea I’d say Simmons … but Simpson could be well on his way also… kid is fun to watch

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:27 AM

Would be scary to have Simmons and Simpson on the field at the same time.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:32 AM

Gotta throw in Mac Alexander just for discussion.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 11:57 AM

For sure, he’s one of my favorite tigers … in my top 5… he was such a kick down corner you never heard his name called much bc no one threw his way lol

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:30 PM [ in reply to Re: Best defensive player under Dabo ]

DLWtiger said:

Gotta throw in Mac Alexander just for discussion.



This - Mac Alexander doesn't get enough credit/respect on this board.

He allowed 1 TD as a DB because of slipping on the field and, outside of that one play, basically dominated every WR he locked on to for a game.

IMO Mac was the epitome of dominance.

I love the power rangers, Isaiah Simmons, and a bunch of the recent dudes we had on defense but I haven't seen anyone shut down players like Mac since I've kept up with Clemson football (2006 - present).

Booth, AJ Terrell, Trayvon Mullen have been some great corners as of late and fun to watch but I'd easily take Mac as my #1 CB pick of the 4.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 1:04 PM [ in reply to Re: Best defensive player under Dabo ]

I still believe we would’ve beat Bama in that first National championship game if he hadn’t gone out.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 1:21 AM

There are so many elite players, it’s crazy. Simmons, Beasley, wilkins, Ferrell, booth. The list goes on and on. May not be the best player under dabo but I loved watching Dorian O’Daniel, especially when he had those two int TDs in 2017. Fun player to watch

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DaQuan Bowers...


Dec 25, 2021, 1:42 AM

recency bias makes Isaiah Simmons that dude hands down, but Bowers was a man even playing on a bad knee...

he fell out of the first round because of that knee but was still the 1st pick of the 2nd round...

All of the national awards, and he did it for three years from the day he stepped on campus. Simmons had about a year and a half of elite play; don't forget that he played behind O'Daniel and came back for his fourth year to improve his stock and not appear to be a flash in the pan.

Simmons has to make room for Bowers for me...

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 5:20 AM

I know you asked for a single player but, I have to name the Rangers. That group of guys was special. If I have to pick one player it would be Wilkins.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 1:10 PM

What a great crew that was!

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42!***


Dec 25, 2021, 6:30 AM



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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 6:38 AM

Grady Jarrett did a pretty good job, and Miles Murphy is fun to watch, too.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:10 PM

Grady Jarrett was the first name that came to mind. He really was everything Dabo describes when he talks about what he wants our players to be. He played so much better than his “measurables”, always modest, always prepared, always in the right spot to do the right thing.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 7:45 AM

Christian Wilkins

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"If a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal."


Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 7:51 AM

Christian Wilkins

He belongs in the Ring of Honor, imo

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 8:03 AM

Agree we wouldnt have won those chmpionships without Big 42

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 12:07 PM [ in reply to Re: Best defensive player under Dabo ]

Christian Wilkins. I agree he should be in the ring of honor. There's been a bunch of them for sure.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 8:35 AM

Best - possibly IS11 (well-rounded talent -- put him anywhere)

Most Important - definitely Christian Wilkins (2019 team leader rounding into NFL All-Pro)

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 8:47 AM

Dexter Lawerence.... Grady Jarrett, Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee..... Nothing better than the big guys in the middle that eat up two blockers every play. They don't get the stats the other guys do, but hands down the most important position on the field.

My favorite Clemson defender of all time is Keith Adams.... that dude was a four-year starter and about 5'8". Obviously Dawkins was our best overall, but if Keith Adams had six more inches, he would have been a hall of famer too. Never saw a guy with a nose for the ball like Adams.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 9:39 AM

Grady Jarrett. Single handedly would create a new line of scrimmage.

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Wilkins and Simmons


Dec 25, 2021, 9:54 AM

Can't go wrong picking either. I might lean towards Wilkins because of his incredible leadership.

Also, he was a major impact player all four years at Clemson and im not sure you can make that argument for anyone else in this conversation.

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Re: Wilkins - - - best Clemson defender of all time


Dec 25, 2021, 12:05 PM

Agree with TigersAndCubs® and the others that cited Christian Wilkins as the best defender of the Dabo era.

Heck, I'd say C.Wilkins is the best defender of all time for Clemson.

Four year starter on D-Line ... started from Day 1.

DT was his natural position, but played DE for a year and did stellar work.

FB on some offensive situations (short yardage), and a good enough athlete to be targeted as a surprise receiver.

Anchored the defense on not just one, but TWO National Championship teams and four teams that made CFP.

No other Clemson defender has come close to accomplishing all of this success from beginning to end.

And with D-Line being arguably the position group with the greatest history at Clemson, C.Wilkins rose above them all over a 4 year college career.

Unbelievable ... except we all witnessed it.

Merry Christmas to you all!

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Re: Wilkins - - - best Clemson defender of all time


Dec 25, 2021, 12:54 PM

It's got to be Grady currently. Simmons may take the top spot before it's over, but Grady was great at Clemson, had leadership and has been super in the NFL for years. This is not a knock on Simmons. He has many years in the NFL ahead.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 1:05 PM

Agree that Isaiah Simmons best from a football plays and athleticism. Can’t argue with CW from a football standpoint (inside or outside Dline) and presence.

From an importance to team and core contributor to success and lifting the play of those around him Boulware and Skalski come to mind. Again - not the athletic, NFL caliber dudes but what they meant to the D is high on the list.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 3:23 PM

Gotta go with Wilkins, with Big Dex and Simmons being right there also. You just can't replace someone like Wilkins, he brought so much energy and joy he made everyone around him up their game. Dex is just a monster of a man that pretty much couldn't be moved unless he decided to move. Simmons is a supremely gifted talent with special size and speed.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 3:29 PM

1. Mackensie Alexander
2. Christian Wilkins
3. Vic Beasley
4. Isaiah Simmons
5. Grady Jarrett
6. Da’Quan Bowers
7. Dexter Lawrence
8. AJ Terrell
9. Trayvon Mullen
10. James Skalski

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 3:34 PM

Christian Wilkins hands down
He played with passion every down
With that being said I have to give a shout out for Ben Boulware

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 3:58 PM

Ben Boulware. He might not have done that great at the pro level, but without his leadership, this Clemson defense would not be where it is today.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 4:20 PM

Alexander and Terrell were 2 lock down corners that let our D play without having help on one side of the field. I would go with Clelin tho. He would just dominate some games. Sad to see him not do great in the league.

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Re: Best defensive player under Dabo


Dec 25, 2021, 4:40 PM

Wilkins or Alexander. It’s a toss up for me. However, I can’t recall Alexander ever having an off day. We have had some good lockdown corners but they all had a game where they got beat. Alexander was playing on a gimpy hamstring against Bama, but that game didn’t tilt into Bama’s favor until he was lost from the game. Then they made some big plays on his side of the field. OJ Howard getting free down the sideline comes to mind. I don’t think that play even gets positive yards if Mac was in the game.

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