Nolan Turner is no longer patrolling centerfield on the Clemson defense. It seemed like he was there forever. The Tigers return a handful of players that have experience, as well as welcoming back Lanndon Zanders, who got hurt in the first quarter against Georgia last year and never returned. By all accounts, he is looking pretty healthy in his return.
Several returning players got lots of playing time last year and sophomore Andrew Mukuba made the most of his time. Mukuba participated on 576 snaps last year, registering 54 tackles and tying for the team lead in passes broken up (PBU) with 9. He is a star in the making.
Jalyn Phillips came on strong in 2021, and is ready to contend for more playing time. In 357 plays last year, he registered 47 tackles and 3 PBU’s. Tyler Venables didn’t follow dad to Oklahoma and returns after logging 262 snaps, getting 33 tackles, 3 passes broken up and one interception. Junior RJ Mickens rounds out the returnees at safety. With 337 snaps, Mickens was in on 37 tackles, with 3 PBUs and two interceptions.
The 2022 class brings in talented 4-star Sherrod Covil Jr., Chesapeake, Virginia. As Dabo likes to say “He is who we thought he was.” Look for Covil to get in early and often as the season progresses.
As expected, the Tigers handed out several offers to 2023 prospects. Most notable of those offers is 5-star Caleb Downs, Hoschton, Georgia. Downs, the #1 cornerback in the country as well as the #1 player in the state of Georgia, had a banner season in 2021. He registered 77 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, 11 PBUs and five interceptions. Playing both ways, he scored four rushing touchdowns, and added two receiving touchdowns. Needless to say, Downs would definitely be the key piece to the 2023 class. Downs, 6-0 185, has 33 offers to date. He is definitely a Clemson priority.
4-star Braxton Myers, 6-1 185, would be a great get and ranked the #2 safety in the 2023 class. Myers, Coppell, Texas, has 34 offers to date and is a main target for several schools, including FSU, Auburn, Michigan and others. Myers picked up his Clemson offer mid January.
Clemson has made the Top 12 for 4-star safety Rahmir Stewart, considered the #4 player in the state of Pennsylvania. He narrowed his list down from 34, which includes SEC powers LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma. Some players think that playing in the SEC is the only place to play. Stewart could be one of those.
4-star Dakaari Nelson, Selma, Alabama, picked up his Clemson offer at the end of January and certainly has the size to play the safety position at Clemson. Nelson, 6-3 203, is ranked as the 18th best safety in the country.
3-star Bryce Thornton recently visited Clemson and picked up his 20th offer, shortly after Alabama offered. Thornton, 5-10 185, Alpharetta, Georgia, totaled 340 yards on offense on 36 touches, 2 touchdowns. Defensively, he was credited with 18 tackles, 11 PBUs and 3 interceptions.
Thornton’s teammate, 3-star Robert Billings, also recently picked up an offer from the Tigers. Billings, 6-1 185, registered 66 tackles and five interceptions.
Watch the safety rotation in the spring game as it will go a long way in the success of Clemson’s defense. The Tigers look to be in really good shape at safety
