Tag: Cade Denhoff

‘Really excited about him’: Defensive lineman making a move

Defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin considered the title of starter among Clemson’s defensive ends to be a four-man designation between Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry and Justin Mascoll. That was before Thomas went down with a foot injury …

Defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin considered the title of starter among Clemson’s defensive ends to be a four-man designation between Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry and Justin Mascoll.

That was before Thomas went down with a foot injury in the Tigers’ scrimmage over the weekend that will keep the fifth-year senior out for roughly a month.

But Goodwin revealed following Monday’s practice that redshirt freshman Cade Denhoff is a prime candidate to help fill out the rotation on the edge in Thomas’ absence. Asked who’s next in line at the position behind the top three, Goodwin answered junior Kevin Swint and Denhoff, a different tune than what position coach Lemanski Hall recently hummed.

Hall hinted in the spring at Swint and Greg Williams, both former linebackers, being the fifth and sixth ends and reiterated that again last month. But Goodwin said Denhoff, who’s up to 250 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame, excelled in the weight room this summer, which has helped improve other facets of Denhoff’s game.

“Just really improved his strength numbers, his flexibility, his bend, his get-off, and he’s playing more physical,” Goodwin said. “That comes through knowledge and understanding as well and knowing what we’re doing and asking from a technical standpoint. Really excited about him.”

A former top-100 recruit, Denhoff was buried on the depth chart last year, appearing in just one game during his redshirt season. Meanwhile, Swint has played 20 games in his first two seasons with the Tigers primarily as a reserve.

“They flashed Saturday during the scrimmage,” Goodwin said. “Kevin’s had a great start improving his technique and just learning the position. Really pleased with where Cade is as well. I feel like this summer he really changed his body, is in a good (place) from a physical standpoint and has really improved his technique. Really excited to see those two young guys.”

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One area in which Clemson’s defensive line could top 2018 group

As far as defensive lines go, the group Clemson tormented opponents with during its most recent national championship run set the bar high. Affectionately known as the Power Rangers, the Tigers’ front four in 2018 was one of the best in college …

As far as defensive lines go, the group Clemson tormented opponents with during its most recent national championship run set the bar high.

Affectionately known as the Power Rangers, the Tigers’ front four in 2018 was one of the best in college football’s modern era. The group, headlined by Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins, led the charge for a defense that topped the country in points allowed (13.1 per game) and also ranked in the top 5 nationally in total defense, rush defense, tackles for loss and sacks. Ferrell, Lawrence and Wilkins were each selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft while the other starter up front, Thomas Austin, was a fourth-round pick that year.

Yet Clemson coach Dabo Swinney believes there’s one area in which his current defensive line could have that group beat.

“We’re going to have a little more depth than maybe we had in ‘18,” Swinney said. “I think the front-line guys, we’ve got some similarities. But this group has got a chance to have deeper, experienced depth.”

Swinney has good reason for that opinion.

Much like that 2018 season, Clemson’s No. 2 scoring defense this past season was spearheaded by arguably the top defensive line in the ACC. And that was with Tigers playing most of the season without star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (torn ACL).

Clemson finished seventh nationally in total yards allowed and eighth against the run. The Tigers also ranked ninth in sacks (3.2) and 15th in tackles for loss (7.1), both of which ranked in the top 4 in the ACC. And Clemson has virtually every significant contributor back up front.

As expected, sack leader Myles Murphy and Bresee, both sophomores, are returning for what could be their third and final seasons at Clemson. They’ll be joined by Tyler Davis, KJ Henry and Xavier Thomas, who may have been the biggest surprise with his decision to return for a sixth year.

Ruke Orhorhoro was more than serviceable filling in on the interior of the line alongside Davis. His 42 tackles were second-most among Clemson’s defensive linemen this past season, and he added eight tackles for loss. With a healthy Bresee set to slide back into the starting lineup this fall, that will move Orhorhoro back to being a backup.

With Henry, Orhohoro, Etinosa Reuben (or Tre Williams) and Justin Mascoll also back in the fold, Clemson is keeping its entire two-deep along the defensive line intact. Nine defensive linemen on the current roster have started at least one game at Clemson.

That’s not including sophomore defensive end Kevin Swint, who played in 10 games as a reserve this past season, or defensive tackles Payton Page and Demonte Capehart, who got their feet wet as freshmen. Freshmen defensive ends Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson are coming off redshirt seasons, and Clemson recently added another lineman to the crop in the 2022 recruiting cycle with the signing of Lanett (Alabama) four-star defensive tackle Caden Story.

“We’ve got a great group,” Swinney said. “This has got a chance to be as good as we’ve ever had in the defensive line if they will work and do what they need to do to play and perform at the level they’re capable of.”

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Taking inventory: Defensive end

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead. With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand …

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead.

With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand with each as the offseason quickly approaches. Quarterback, running back, tight end, receiver, center, guard and offensive tackle have already been assessed.

Now we’ll take a look at the defensive side of the ball starting with the defensive ends.

A quick note first: This is where things currently stand with Clemson’s personnel at defensive end. With the one-time transfer rule and recruiting still in full effect, things are always subject to change. This story will be updated as needed to reflect any future modifications at the position.

2021 in review

The edges of Clemson’s defensive front had arguably the most quality depth of any position on the roster heading into the season. While the Tigers lost some of it along the way, the group didn’t disappoint.

Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry, Justin Mascoll and Justin Foster had all started at least one game at defensive end entering the season, and that blend of talent and experience showed up with Murphy and Thomas leading the way. A former five-star recruit, Murphy has followed up his freshman All-America campaign with a stronger sophomore season, leading the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense with seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss en route to second-team All-ACC honors.

He also had 10 quarterback hurries during the regular season, which ranks third on the team behind linebacker James Skalski and Thomas, who has bounced back from a disappointing 2020 season. Thomas, who’s started nine of the 11 games he’s played, leads the team with 15 hurries to go with 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and 26 tackles, giving Clemson one of the top edge tandems in the ACC when healthy.

That hasn’t always been the case. Thomas dealt with a hamstring injury late in the regular season that sidelined him for Clemson’s most recent game against South Carolina. Meanwhile, Foster underwent back surgery that ended his season after just five games while Mascoll has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, further cutting into the depth at the position.

But Henry did a serviceable filling in as a starter. Another former blue-chip recruit, the fourth-year junior has started three games and combined for six tackles and 1.5 sacks in the final two games of the regular season. Thomas hasn’t been limited during bowl practice and looks primed to return to the starting lineup for the bowl game.

Will it be the last game in a Clemson uniform for the veterans the Tigers have at the position?

Barring a transfer, Murphy, who’s not yet draft-eligible, will be returning. Sixth-year senior Regan Upshaw is out of eligibility while Henry, Thomas, Mascoll and Foster have all been a part of Clemson’s program for at least four seasons but could decide to use the COVID year granted by the NCAA last season to return, though the odds of all four doing that aren’t in Clemson’s favor.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney suggested recently he still doesn’t know what they’re going to decide to do, adding he’ll keep scholarships open for them just in case. He should have their answers after the bowl game if not sooner.

But even if some of them decide to move on, the Tigers still have some depth at the position, albeit largely unproven.

Sophomore Kevin Swint filled out the rotation, flashing some of his potential in limited action. He finished the regular season with nine tackles, three tackles for loss and a hurry in nine games. Third-year sophomore Greg Williams has played in four games as a reserve. There’s also freshmen Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson, a pair of highly touted ends in Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class who are in line to redshirt. 

Who’s leaving?

Upshaw, Thomas (maybe), Henry (maybe), Mascoll (maybe), Foster (maybe)

Who’s staying?

Murphy, Thomas (maybe), Henry (maybe), Mascoll (maybe), Foster (maybe), Swint, Williams, Denhoff, Patterson

Who’s joining?

Nobody as of now

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Cade Denhoff, a four-star DE target, has committed to Clemson over Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes were not able to get a visit from four-star SDE Cade Denhoff before he committed to the Clemson Tigers.

This stings.

Four-star defensive end Cade Denhoff, an Ohio State target, is headed to Clemson. Denhoff was also targeted by LSU, Alabama, Penn State, and many other top-tier programs.

Denhoff was the Class of 2021’s seventh-ranked strongside defensive end according to 247Sports. Thankfully for Ohio State, they already have the top-ranked SDE, Jack Sawyer, inbound.

However, at the same time, combining Denhoff and Sawyer could’ve helped Ohio State easily boast the most dominant defensive line in college football. But, that’s now just a pipe dream.

What made Ohio State different than the rest of the bunch was the fact that the interest was mutual.

Denhodd, according to 247 Sports’ Bucknuts, was planning to visit Ohio State in January or February, making his early decision even more saddening for Ohio State faithful.

The Buckeyes have nine players already committed from the Class of 2021. With the No. 2 class in the nation, they’re only trailing Denhoff’s new home, Clemson who has two more four-star recruits.

Recapping Wisconsin’s latest moves on the recruiting trail

Looking to add to its 2021 recruiting class, Wisconsin extended scholarship offers to a trio of prospects near the end of November.

Looking to add to its 2021 recruiting class, Wisconsin extended scholarship offers to a trio of prospects near the end of November in the days leading up to the matchup with Purdue in Madison.

The first recruit to take to Twitter and announce his offer from the Badgers was strong-side defensive end Cade Denhoff out of Lakeland, Fla.

According to the 247Sports composite, Denhoff is a 4-star prospect and ranks as the nation’s No. 136 overall player. As you might expect, the 6-4, 225-pound defensive end has already compiled a pretty impressive list of suitors.

In fact, if you name one of the “blue blood” programs in college football, odds are Denhoff holds an offer from it: Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Notre Dame are all involved in this recruitment, as are Nebraska, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, Miami, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, UCF, Vanderbilt and West Virginia, among others.

Given the incredibly stiff competition and how late Wisconsin is to the party here, Badger fans probably shouldn’t get their hopes up that Bucky will emerge as a major player for Denhoff. Of the three players mentioned in this piece, he’s probably the least likely to end up in Madison.

A guy the Badgers could have a slightly better shot at is Ewa Beach, Hawaii wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, who made his Wisconsin offer public the day after Denhoff.

247Sports ranks Mokiao-Atimalala as a 3-star prospect and the No. 388 overall player in the country. The 6-0, 165-pound wideout’s recruitment is much smaller than Denhoff’s at the moment, there are a few heavy hitters that are involved. Michigan, Nebraska and Notre Dame have all extended offers, as have California, Hawaii, Oregon State and Utah.

It’s possible that Wisconsin could become a top contender for Mokiao-Atimalala, but it will likely be a tall task. The Badgers have only landed three players out of Hawaii in the online rankings era: safety James Kamoku in the class of 2003, offensive lineman Micah Kapoi in 2014 and, most recently, linebacker Nick Herbig in the class of 2020. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Mokiao-Atimalala has family ties to two of Wisconsin’s competitors for his services, as his brother is committed to Hawaii in 2020 and his cousin is currently a sophomore on the Oregon State roster.

That being said, perhaps defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield, a Hawaii native and the lead recruiter for both Herbig and Mokiao-Atimalala, can work his magic for the second recruiting cycle in a row and deliver a player from the Aloha State to Wisconsin.

The latest player in the class of 2021 to announce an offer from the Badgers is Los Lunas, N.M. defensive end Tyler Kiehne.

 

Though it is still pretty early in the 2021 recruiting cycle and his recruitment will surely expand as we move forward, at the moment, Kiehne is probably the most obtainable prospect for Wisconsin of the three mentioned here. The Badgers are among the first programs to get their foot in the door in this one, and are by far the best offer on the table at this point, at least in terms of program prestige: his only schools who have officially thrown their hats in the ring are New Mexico, Toledo and Washington State.

However, as far as I can tell, Wisconsin has never landed a recruit from New Mexico in the online rankings era. In fact, dating back to 2001, it appears as though the Badgers haven’t even offered a player from the state until Kiehne, so the 6-3, 255-pounder would be a pioneer in this regard if he ultimately settles on Wisconsin.

247Sports ranks Kiehne has a 3-star prospect and the No. 762 overall player nationally.

The Badgers currently have five players committed in the 2021 class: 4-star offensive tackles JP Benzschawel (Grafton, Wis.) and Riley Mahlman (Lakeville, Minn.), 3-star running backs Jackson Acker (Verona, Wis.) and Loyal Crawford (Eau Claire, Wis.) and 3-star quarterback Deacon Hill (Santa Barbara, Calif.)