It came out yesterday that Clemson’s junior defensive linemen Xavier Thomas will be taking a medical redshirt this year and will not “play” for the Tigers. Thomas’ situation was scary, as head coach Dabo Swinney explained that Thomas was one of the many Clemson players to contract the Coronavirus, then after a quarantine contracted strep throat. The illness made an impact on Thomas’ physical well-being as he added 10-12 pounds.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Jeremiah 29:11 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/t33W4TtqT3— Xavier Thomas (@atxlete) August 6, 2020
While it may seem like the Irish are getting good news with Thomas not playing this year, that might not exactly be the case. His situation is different than some other collegiate stars who have opted out like Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Those players have given up their eligibility while Thomas is still a member the Tigers.
With the new redshirt rules this would enable Thomas to play in four games this year and still keep his extra year of eligibility. This is Swinney’s plan for Thomas this year, but the question remains which four games will he participate in? Looking at Clemson’s cakewalk schedule, the regular season really just see’s the game against the Irish as their only real competitive game on paper. The Tigers avoid North Carolina, but they will face Virginia Tech, the lowest rated ACC team inside the Amway Coaches poll powered by USA Today Sports.
The Tigers have been mainstays in the College Football Playoff’s and with their preseason number 1 ranking, another trip seems very likely. When you add in the ACC Championship game along with the potential of two more playoff games, it whittles down Swinney’s options for getting Thomas on the field. Games later in the year will give him more time to get physically in shape after his illness’, with the hope that the former 5-Star recruit will finally breakout, even in just 4 games.
If you go by my logic, there will be just one regular season game that makes sense for Thomas to play in, the first Saturday in November against the Irish. It may seem like Thomas’ decision to redshirt will help the Irish, but that might not be the case after all. We will wait and see how it plays out, but there is a very real possibility that Thomas will be in South Bend and play a role for the Tigers.