Defensive End: Where do the Tigers go from here?

Defensive ends coach Marion Hobby will have to rely even more on Shaq Lawson this season

by TigerNet Staff - Tue May 19 13:18:33 GMT-04:00 2015

With the losses of first-round NFL Draft pick Vic Beasley Vic Beasley
Defensive End (2010 - 2014)
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile and seniors Corey Crawford Corey Crawford
Defensive End (2011 - 2014)
#93 6-5, 275
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile and Tavaris Barnes Tavaris Barnes
Defensive End (2010 - 2014)
#9 6-3, 275
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile , there were already plenty of questions about who would step in to take over the production vacated by three of Clemson’s 2014 defensive ends.

Redshirt sophomore Ebenezer OgundekoEbenezer Ogundeko
RS So. Defensive End
#1 6-3, 250
Brooklyn, NY
View Full Profile was supposed to be part of the solution - competing for time with Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
RS Jr. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC
View Full Profile ; those plans came to screeching halt Tuesday morning when it was announced that the Brooklyn (NY) native has been dismissed from the team.

Head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile said the following about Ogundeko.

“Ebenezer Ogundeko has been dismissed from the Clemson football team for a violation of team rules and behavior detrimental to our football team,” said Swinney. “We wish him well.”

Ogundeko redshirted his freshman year at Clemson and logged 16 total snaps in seven games last season, registering five total tackles as a reserve defensive end and special teams player. It’s not hard to see why the New York native logged just 16 snaps – the Tigers had ridiculous talent at the end spots in Beasley, Crawford, Barnes and Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile . Trying to break into that rotation is like breaking into Fort Knox.

Despite Ogundeko not having a ton of experience, Ogundeko told TigerNet during spring practice he felt his time had finally come after spending two seasons behind more veteran players.

“I feel like now is my time, if I have a great year and continue to progress,” Ogundeko told TigerNet. “I just want to be a big leader on the defense because the coaches are looking for a leader. I just want to come out here and help my teammates. I want to get double-digit sacks, but my main goal is helping the team get to the National Championship. I could not really care less about the sacks and the numbers as long as we are winning.”

With Ogundeko’s dismissal, the questions about the depth along the defensive line, particularly at end, become even more magnified.

Junior Shaq Lawson and Dodd will go into fall camp and probably the season opener against Wofford as starters, but after that it’s anyone’s job to claim, and there are several defensive ends in line for playing time.

Four of the seven defensive ends on Clemson’s roster are either true or redshirt freshmen - Austin Bryant, LaSamuel Davis, Chris Register and and Richard Yeargin.

The two upperclassmen – Martin AikenMartin Aiken
RS Jr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Smoaks, SC
View Full Profile and Dane RogersDane Rogers
RS So. Defensive End
#85 6-3, 260
Shelby, NC
View Full Profile – have a combined 95 snaps, 17 tackles (two by Rogers), two tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback pressure.

That’s a lot of youth on the edge for a Clemson team that hopes to compete for a conference title this season, and an injury to either Lawson or Dodd could be the difference between a win and a loss somewhere down the road.

The young players will have to step up – and quickly – while learning under the bright sun of the two home games to open the season. Then it’s learning on the job under the bright lights of Papa John’s Stadium on a Thursday night in Louisville.