SUNDAY UPDATE
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
What a great story it would be if Bryan Bresee used a standout performance in the Orange Bowl as a springboard to a superstar final college season in 2023.
Based on our latest feel of the situation, it seems odds favor him heading to the NFL after this game. But we're far from certain of that.
Official NCAA Transfer Portal Tracker & Database at Tigerillustrated.com
Xavier Thomas' possible plans have been overshadowed by all the recent focus on Myles Murphy, Trenton Simpson and Bresee. Those three are certainly the big-ticket items, and unquestionably Bresee is front-and-center.
A Xavier Thomas return for 2023 would be a much-needed shot in the arm for a Clemson defensive end rotation with a lot of question marks. (Tigerillustrated.com)
Yet for a week or so our indications have pointed to Thomas returning, and that would give the end position quite a lift.
You don't want to just gloss over the departure of Simpson, a rare dude who was a problem for opposing offenses even if he had his own problems adjusting to playing inside in 2022.
Yet even after Simpson is gone it feels like the linebacker trajectory is headed upward. It will be hard to find a better 2023 inside tandem than Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter, as we will get a fully-maximized look at what superior athleticism, speed and instincts look like when paired with a year of starting experience.
And though the available sample size is small at SAM with Wade Woodaz and T.J. Dudley, the shape of that position is ever-changing based on the matchup priorities each week. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
When folks wonder why Clemson hasn't aggressively chased a transfer portal defensive end yet, we've indicated that one reason is simply they haven't found an option they love yet.
That's part of it.
Non-football-related & off topics
The other half is Dabo Swinney doesn't definitively know who is coming back yet, and that impacts scholarship numbers as well as available opportunity.
Thomas and Bresee have first dibs on the starting defensive end jobs, assuming of course K.J. Henry doesn't exercise a sixth year -- which we don't think he will.
But thinking and knowing to the point you can go ahead and give those scholarships elsewhere are two different things.
It's not as if the staff didn't think Bresee was going to leave entering the season. But there was reason for them to get hopes up he would be back, and we'll see where that goes.
But the thought of Bresee as one of next year's starting ends is tantalizing.
It's been a difficult year for Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (#11) who will soon reveal his decision on whether he will turn pro or return for 2023. (Getty)
Bresee's body type always meant he would be projected as a defensive tackle, and that's the position at which you'd have easily guessed he stood to eventually make the most NFL money. Still is.
Yet during the camp circuit of his recruitment, we watched several times as Bresee performed much better when used as an end in drills.
That was understandable because it was the position he played in high school, and it often takes guys time to adjust when moved inside.
The snaps we recall from the ACC title game where Bresee played end in four-man fronts gave us pause, though, and led us to wonder if he simply might just be a better player at end in the college ranks.
We'll get an extended taste in the bowl game with Murphy gone.
Clemson is certainly hoping it will attract Bresee to stay longer. -- PAUL STRELOW
Christmas DEALS on CLEMSON gear/apparel & Orange Bowl gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
What a great story it would be if Bryan Bresee used a standout performance in the Orange Bowl as a springboard to a superstar final college season in 2023.
Based on our latest feel of the situation, it seems odds favor him heading to the NFL after this game. But we're far from certain of that.
Official NCAA Transfer Portal Tracker & Database at Tigerillustrated.com
Xavier Thomas' possible plans have been overshadowed by all the recent focus on Myles Murphy, Trenton Simpson and Bresee. Those three are certainly the big-ticket items, and unquestionably Bresee is front-and-center.
A Xavier Thomas return for 2023 would be a much-needed shot in the arm for a Clemson defensive end rotation with a lot of question marks. (Tigerillustrated.com)
Yet for a week or so our indications have pointed to Thomas returning, and that would give the end position quite a lift.
You don't want to just gloss over the departure of Simpson, a rare dude who was a problem for opposing offenses even if he had his own problems adjusting to playing inside in 2022.
Yet even after Simpson is gone it feels like the linebacker trajectory is headed upward. It will be hard to find a better 2023 inside tandem than Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter, as we will get a fully-maximized look at what superior athleticism, speed and instincts look like when paired with a year of starting experience.
And though the available sample size is small at SAM with Wade Woodaz and T.J. Dudley, the shape of that position is ever-changing based on the matchup priorities each week. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
When folks wonder why Clemson hasn't aggressively chased a transfer portal defensive end yet, we've indicated that one reason is simply they haven't found an option they love yet.
That's part of it.
Non-football-related & off topics
The other half is Dabo Swinney doesn't definitively know who is coming back yet, and that impacts scholarship numbers as well as available opportunity.
Thomas and Bresee have first dibs on the starting defensive end jobs, assuming of course K.J. Henry doesn't exercise a sixth year -- which we don't think he will.
But thinking and knowing to the point you can go ahead and give those scholarships elsewhere are two different things.
It's not as if the staff didn't think Bresee was going to leave entering the season. But there was reason for them to get hopes up he would be back, and we'll see where that goes.
But the thought of Bresee as one of next year's starting ends is tantalizing.
It's been a difficult year for Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (#11) who will soon reveal his decision on whether he will turn pro or return for 2023. (Getty)
Bresee's body type always meant he would be projected as a defensive tackle, and that's the position at which you'd have easily guessed he stood to eventually make the most NFL money. Still is.
Yet during the camp circuit of his recruitment, we watched several times as Bresee performed much better when used as an end in drills.
That was understandable because it was the position he played in high school, and it often takes guys time to adjust when moved inside.
The snaps we recall from the ACC title game where Bresee played end in four-man fronts gave us pause, though, and led us to wonder if he simply might just be a better player at end in the college ranks.
We'll get an extended taste in the bowl game with Murphy gone.
Clemson is certainly hoping it will attract Bresee to stay longer. -- PAUL STRELOW
Christmas DEALS on CLEMSON gear/apparel & Orange Bowl gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
