CLEMSON FOOTBALL

How will Venables replace his seniors? By getting young players plenty of work
Clemson's younger defensive players got in plenty of work Friday in Orlando

How will Venables replace his seniors? By getting young players plenty of work


by - Staff Writer -

ORLANDO, FL – The extra 15 practice sessions that bowl teams earn usually provide coaches the chance to take a look at the younger players who have either red-shirted or not received a lot of playing time, and this year has been no different for Clemson.

It’s also been necessary, because defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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loses eight starters from a senior-laden lineup that helped the Tigers finish the regular season as the nation’s top-ranked defense. Following Friday’s practice, Venables told TigerNet that losing so many good players hurts, but he thinks those seniors have developed a strong defensive foundation.

But it’s also depressing.

“That's depressing, that's what that is. Very depressing. I'm just so proud of the guys,” Venables said outside of the Citrus Bowl. “The guys have built a real strong culture here as a football program, certainly, but a culture of toughness, discipline, humility, accountability. Just great leaders and great ambassadors for this program. It's just so different because there are so many of them. It's not just a couple of guys that are the face of it. There are a bunch of them that have taken great ownership and invested a great deal in this program and are selfless along the way. You really are just proud to go out on the field with them one last time.”

Venables said that he has been pleased with the physical nature of the younger players.

“I think it's been pretty physical. I like the group of young guys that are practicing,” he said. “There are a bunch of them. They like to run around and hit and that's always a good thing. The physicality part won't be a problem. There is a bunch of good young talent that we're going to keep bringing along. We're going to have to count on a bunch of them here really quick.”

Replacing eight starters is a tall task, and Venables said he has had an eye on the future for an extended period of time.

“Coaches are always a week ahead or a year ahead or the next group of recruits. Always. As you're continuing to nourish the guys that you have on your team and trying to find out what they can and can't do as soon as you can before it's too late,” he said. “As you continue to make decision in recruiting - whether it's pre-January or looking to finish up this class or looking ahead to the 2016 class, those are all things you need to make sure you've dotted your I's and crossed your T's. I'm excited about the youth that we have.”

But can the Tigers expect to continue their defensive success despite the loss of so many key players? Venables says yes, and points to the fact that so many of the players that will depended be upon next season have earned significant snaps the past couple of seasons.

“To me, we're different than a lot of teams. We play a ton of guys,” he said. “With all of those great players, you look at all of the young guys that have played across the board. It starts in the front seven with Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 294
Mooresboro, NC

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and D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 322
Greensboro, NC

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and Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
RS So. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC

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. Then you've got Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 5-11, 235
Anderson, SC

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, B.J. GoodsonB.J. Goodson
RS Jr. Linebacker
#44 6-1, 240
Lamar, SC

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, Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
So. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 190
Durham, NC

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, Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL

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and Dorian O'DanielDorian O'Daniel
RS Fr. Linebacker
#6 6-1, 217
Olney, MD

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. Those are all very good players that have played significant snaps that we know a lot about. Then you're going to have sprinkle around them in the secondary. Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS Sr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 194
Conyers, GA

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has had a strong year and Robert SmithRobert Smith
Sr. Safety
#27 5-11, 211
St. George, SC

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has been terrific but at cornerback there's been a bunch of young guys that have played there.

MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL

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is just a freshman and Cordrea TankersleyCordrea Tankersley
So. Defensive Back
#25 6-1, 195
Beech Island, SC

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. Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
RS Fr. Cornerback
#21 5-11, 184
Hallandale, FL

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has played. We've got Marcus EdmondMarcus Edmond
RS Fr. Cornerback
#29 5-11, 170
Hopkins, SC

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and T.J. GreenT.J. Green
So. Safety
#15 6-3, 205
Sylacauga, AL

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and Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 207
Orangeburg, SC

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and Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 215
Fort Myers, FL

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. To me, those are all veterans that played when the game has been on the line and been a big part of that defense being number one in the nation. We're losing a bunch of good ones and I'm not downplaying that, not one bit but to me the biggest the void that you have to fill is the leadership and the toughness and the willingness to work and the humility. You're just praying that these guys really paid attention because that's the magic. You've got talented guys and some guys may not play again when they're done but the best thing about them is that they're humble and they loved to go to work. A lot of teams have really good players and you still have to coach them and develop them.”

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