Tag: K.J. Henry

Nine Tigers named to East-West Shrine Bowl 1000

Nine Clemson Tigers have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 ahead of the upcoming college football season. The longest-running college all-star football game in the nation, the East-West Shrine Bowl gives top college players the …

Nine Clemson Tigers have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 ahead of the upcoming college football season.

The longest-running college all-star football game in the nation, the East-West Shrine Bowl gives top college players the opportunity to showcase their talents to NFL scouts and a national television audience.

This year, the bowl released its East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. Here’s how the list was put together:

Every year, approximately 1000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp. Our aim is for this Shrine Bowl 1000 to serve as a look into our scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2023 NFL draft class.

This list was extremely difficult for our team to put together, scouring players from all four levels of football and speaking with NFL and college personnel to ensure we put together the best 1000 players for the NFL level.

As the East-West Shrine Bowl strives to be a best-in-class event, we’re excited to feature these talented 1000 players and over 200 college programs as they strive to be at their best for the 2022 college season.

So, which Clemson players are on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000?

Here’s all the Tigers that appear on the list:

Davis Allen, Tight End

Tyler Davis, Defensive Tackle

K.J. Henry, Defensive End

Sheridan Jones, Cornerback

Jordan McFadden, Offensive Lineman

Joseph Ngata, Wide Receiver

Ruke Orhorhoro, Defensive Tackle

Will Putnam, Offensive Lineman

Xavier Thomas, Defensive End

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Why Xavier Thomas has one of ‘biggest projections’ among edge rushers in 2022

Pro Football Focus recently ranked Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas as one of the top 25 edge rushers in the country.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently ranked the top 25 edge rushers in the country ahead of the 2022 season, and Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas cracked the top ten.

With his previous production and potential in mind, PFF ranked Thomas as the tenth-best edge rusher in the nation, slightly ahead of his teammate, Myles Murphy, who came in at No. 9.

Entering his fifth season with the Tigers, Thomas could be primed for his most productive year yet as a part of one of, what many expect to be, one of the nation’s top defensive fronts.

Thomas finished 2021 with 21 total tackles (6.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, earning a Third-Team All-ACC selection.

As for PFF’s Anthony Treash, he believes Thomas has one of the “biggest projections” among all defensive ends in college football.

A long battle with COVID-19 disrupted Thomas’ 2020 junior year, but he still managed to play 119 snaps in what was supposed to be a bounce-back season after a sophomore slump in 2019. The 2018 No. 3 overall recruit went from an 83.4 PFF grade as a freshman to a 69.8 mark the year after. Thomas got back on the right track this past season, earning a 76.7 pass-rush grade and 18.7% pass-rush win rate — 11th and fourth, respectively, among returning Power Five edge defenders. What’s most encouraging about his performance this past season is his true pass-rush grade was nearly 25 grading points higher than the last time we saw him consistently on the field in 2019.

PFF isn’t the only source projecting high results from the fifth-year defensive end, as Clemson defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall detailed the value Thomas brings as an experienced player.

“Anytime you get a chance to get Xavier Thomas back, it’s a big deal,” Hall said on July 19. “When he said he was coming back, I was fired up. Obviously, a guy with that kind of experience and athleticism, he’s eager to prove a lot of people wrong. We all know what he can do; it’s just a matter of now going out there and executing.”

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Henry on Clemson haters: ‘We definitely hear it’

Based on what many in the media had to say about the Clemson football program in 2021, you would think the Tigers had a winless season. There was a sense of doom and gloom and a lot of outside negativity surrounding Clemson over the course of last …

Based on what many in the media had to say about the Clemson football program in 2021, you would think the Tigers had a winless season.

There was a sense of doom and gloom and a lot of outside negativity surrounding Clemson over the course of last season despite the fact Dabo Swinney’s team ended up reaching the 10-win plateau for a school-record 11th consecutive season.

During an appearance on ACC Network at the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte on Wednesday, Clemson fifth-year senior defensive end K.J. Henry was asked how it felt to hear plenty of people knock the Tigers last season and say “the dynasty is over” after they weren’t able to win the ACC Championship and make it to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014.

“Yeah, we were helping Coach pack up his bags, he about got fired. Boring 10-win season last year,” Henry joked.

“But nah, it showed the standard that we have at Clemson, and we love that. We love that that is a down year for us, number one, and that’s the perspective that we have to look into.”

Henry was asked if the Tigers hear the haters and listen to the doubters.

“We definitely hear it,” he said. “Whether we let it come in home and whether we actually care about it is a whole ‘nother story. We definitely hear it. We got TVs, we got radios, what not. … We know what’s being said, we know who’s saying what, and our time will come. There’s no doubt about it, and I think we’ll see a lot of good things this season.”

What was the biggest learning lesson that Henry and Clemson took away from what was perceived as a “down” year for the program in 2021?

“I think for us, we were reminded how to appreciate winning,” said Henry, who had a career year in 2021 and finished the season credited with 28 tackles (6.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 13 games (four starts).

“That’s something that we haven’t been told a lot about. We’ve had a lot of great teams up to this point, and not everybody understands that the ACC Championships, we earn those. We play good teams. We had to prepare and we had to take those wins, and now in the year where we don’t make it to that point, it’s the end of the world and now it’s no fluke no more. But we understood that we prepare for those moments, and we were just reminded. It’s that simple. And we know now going into this year, once again, that we’re going to have to prepare every week and do the best we can in order to win every game.”

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Clemson Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 98 Myles Murphy

After leading Clemson in sacks last season, here’s a closer look at junior defensive end Myles Murphy.

Heading into the 2022 season, ClemsonWire will look at multiple players on the Clemson football roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school and what role they will play for head coach Dabo Swinney this season.

Since we already covered Xavier Thomas on Sunday, we will now be looking at the player who will likely line up on the opposite side of Thomas, defensive end Myles Murphy.

Murphy is undoubtedly one of the Tigers’ most dominant pass rushers, leading Clemson in sacks and tackles for loss last season with seven and 14, respectively.

That high-level production has caught the attention of NFL analysts and scouts, as most 2023 mock drafts have Murphy as a first-round selection.

NFL teams will have to wait for the Marietta, Ga. product, however, as he still has the 2022 season to make more of a mark for himself.

Here’s a snapshot look at Murphy.

Clemson Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 3 Xavier Thomas

Heading into the 2022 season, fifth-year defensive end Xavier Thomas could be primed for his best year as a Tiger.

Heading into the 2022 season, ClemsonWire will look at multiple players on the Clemson football roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school and what role they will play for head coach Dabo Swinney this season.

With the top two quarterbacks already covered, we will now be switching to the defense and looking at defensive end Xavier Thomas.

Entering his fifth season with the program, Thomas has been one of the Tigers’ most consistent pass rushers during his tenure and will be a valuable asset for defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Here’s a snapshot look at Thomas.

Packer believes Clemson’s defense will be ‘really, really special’ in 2022

On Packer and Durham on ACC Network this past week, after talking about golf, Mark Packer and Wes Durham brought up the following tweet from Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas: Hit the course for the first time today. 240 yards out, double bogey …

On Packer and Durham on ACC Network this past week, after talking about golf, Mark Packer and Wes Durham brought up the following tweet from Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas:

Durham pointed out that Thomas (listed at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds on his official Clemson bio) is one big man on the golf course, and Packer replied, “He is a big, strong dude, is who he is… a heat-seeking missile.”

Packer then went on to talk about Thomas deciding to come back for his fifth year with the Tigers in 2022 — along with fellow Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry opting to return for his fifth year as well — and how good Packer believes Clemson’s defense will be this season.

“I tell you what, that was a big deal for him coming back,” Packer said of Thomas. “He and KJ Henry are the two guys on the defensive side – and Clemson’s got so much talent on that side, it’s stupid – but those are two dudes that you almost thought, ‘Well, they’ll be gone, it’s catch ya later.’ The fact that they both decided to come back, in addition to all that defensive line talent – I think they’re going to be filthy on the defensive side. I mean, really, really special.”

Last season, Clemson’s defense ranked first in the ACC and second nationally behind only national champion Georgia in scoring defense, with the Tigers allowing only 14.8 points per game.

A third-team All-ACC selection in 2021, Thomas tallied 27 tackles (5.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup over 12 games (10 starts) and was credited with a team-high 17 quarterback pressures.

Henry put together a career year with a strong finish in 2021, ending the season credited with 28 tackles (6.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 13 games (four starts).

Thomas and Henry will join forces on Clemson’s defensive front with players such as 2021 first-team All-ACC selection Tyler Davis, 2021 second-team All-ACC selection Myles Murphy and 2021 third-team all-conference pick Bryan Bresee.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

CFB analyst weighs in on Clemson front seven, D-line which ‘should be devastating’

This week, a national outlet published a ranking of the best front-seven rooms in college football entering the 2022 season. CBS Sports has Clemson’s front seven ranked No. 1, followed by Alabama, Washington, Baylor and Oklahoma State, in that …

This week, a national outlet published a ranking of the best front-seven rooms in college football entering the 2022 season.

CBS Sports has Clemson’s front seven ranked No. 1, followed by Alabama, Washington, Baylor and Oklahoma State, in that order.

Here’s what college football analyst Barrett Sallee, who authored the ranking for CBS Sports, wrote about the Tigers’ front seven which features no shortage of star power and figures to help the overall unit be one of the nation’s best this season:

If coach Dabo Swinney’s crew is going to get back to the top of the college football world this year, it’ll be on the heels of one of the best defenses — personnel-wise — that he’s ever produced. Superstar Bryan Bresee will anchor the middle of the line of scrimmage and, when healthy, is the top defensive lineman in the country. Add Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry at edge, and the line should be devastating. The linebacking corps will be led by Trenton Simpson, who had 64 tackles, 12.5 which were for a loss, last season. The only real question here is if the success former defensive coordinator Brent Venables had during his tenure in the upstate can be replicated by new defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Listed among the honorable mention front-seven rooms is defending ACC champion Pittsburgh as well as Notre Dame, which Clemson will play in South Bend on Nov. 5.

Defending national champ Georgia is also an honorable mention, along with Michigan and Oregon.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

Clemson has the best front seven in college football

Clemson’s front seven is the most dangerous in college football.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have had some of the best defenses in college football history in his tenure as the Tigers’ head coach.

Heading into the 2022 college football season, while there are many questions about how the Clemson offense will look, fans already know what to expect out of this defense. Though Brent Venables has moved on to Oklahoma, newly appointed defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin has more than enough talent in this defense to keep the unit one of the best in the nation.

For the defense, it all starts with the front seven. Of all the college football programs across the country, according to CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee, Clemson is the front seven in college football.

Here’s what Sallee had to say about the Tigers front seven:

1. Clemson Tigers

If coach Dabo Swinney’s crew is going to get back to the top of the college football world this year, it’ll be on the heels of one of the best defenses — personnel-wise — that he’s ever produced. Superstar Bryan Bresee will anchor the middle of the line of scrimmage and, when healthy, is the top defensive lineman in the country. Add Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry at edge, and the line should be devastating. The linebacking corps will be led by Trenton Simpson, who had 64 tackles, 12.5 which were for a loss, last season. The only real question here is if the success former defensive coordinator Brent Venables had during his tenure in the upstate can be replicated by new defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Sallee has some solid points but left out some pieces that make this front seven look even more dangerous.

First and foremost, Myles Murphy is arguably the best player on this defense, so it was a little shocking to see the star edge rushers’ name left out of Sallee’s comments. He is a projected top fifteen pick in the 2023 NFL draft right now and will contend with Bresee to be the first Tiger off the board.

Another key piece of this front seven he didn’t mention is the big guy in the middle, Tyler Davis. A player with an incredibly high ceiling, Davis will be looking to prove a lot to NFL scouts this season.

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Analyst breaks down why Clemson is best bet to win the ACC

Clemson’s season kicks off in less than 100 days, and oddsmakers are expecting the Tigers to bounce back in 2022 after missing the ACC Championship game last season.

After winning the previous six titles, Clemson didn’t appear in the ACC Championship game in 2021, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers aren’t still the team to beat.

According to Tipico Sportsbook, Clemson is -120 to win the ACC title in 2022, with Miami and North Carolina State behind at +600 and +900, respectively.

Although -120 is a step down from Clemson’s 2021 preseason odds of -300, CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson believes the Tigers are still the best bet to win the conference, and here’s why.

It is extremely unlikely that the Tigers will rank dead last in the ACC in passing efficiency like they did in 2021, a season that still saw Dabo Swinney’s team finish 10-3 thanks to one of the nation’s best defenses. That defensive front should still be among the best in the country, and even league-average passing from D.J. Uiagalelei (or freshman phenom Cade Klubnik) should be the difference in flipping at least a couple of those losses in the other direction. Clemson’s “down year” had no bad losses, so the bounce-back season absolutely should include an ACC Championship.

Clemson returns all of its defensive line starters from 2021, including defensive tackle Bryan Bresee who missed the majority of last season because of a torn ACL. Along with Bresee, defensive tackle Tyler Davis and defensive ends Myles Murphy, K.J. Henry and Xavier Thomas will be a tough group to contain for opposing offenses.

As for the offense, Swinney remained committed to Uiagalelei as the team’s starter after the spring game, so he will be taking the first-team snaps under center as of now. Even if Klubnik eventually takes over, as Patterson points out, Clemson’s offense should be healthier and much improved, paving the way for a potential return to Charlotte, North Carolina in December for a shot at the conference title.

Clemson lands atop of ESPN’s future defense power rankings

Despite multiple veteran departures from last season, Clemson’s defense is still poised to be one of the nation’s best over the next three seasons.

After allowing the second-fewest points per game in the FBS last season, Clemson’s defense has the talent, experience and potential to be one of the nation’s best units in 2022 and beyond.

Between a loaded defensive line that returns all of its starters from 2021 to a fast and dynamic linebacker room, head coach Dabo Swinney has plenty of defenders that have NFL potential.

With the departure of several coaches, including former defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the Tigers’ defense has entered into a new era. Although coaching and roster changes often have a negative impact on teams, there’s reason to believe Clemson’s past defensive success will continue for years to come.

According to ESPN college football analyst Adam Rittenberg, Clemson has the greatest potential to be a top-tier defense for the next three seasons. He ranked Clemson above last nation’s top defense, Georiga, among others like Wisconsin and Alabama.

Here’s what Rittenberg had to say about the Tigers’ defense.

2021 future defense ranking: 1

Scouting the Tigers: In a close race for the top spot, Clemson leads off the rankings for the second consecutive year. The unit loses two outstanding cornerbacks (Mario Goodrich and Andrew Booth Jr.), mainstays at linebacker (James Skalski, Baylon Spector) and longtime coordinator Brent Venables. Still, the outlook remains extremely promising. Clemson’s defensive line has been a strength through the CFP era and will remain that way, especially in 2022 as All-America candidates Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis and Myles Murphy all return. The line got a bonus boost as end Xavier Thomas, a two-time third-team All-ACC selection, is back for one final season. There’s veteran depth at end with seniors K.J. Henry and Justin Mascoll, who last season combined for seven sacks and 15 quarterback pressures. Tackle Ruke Orhorhoro in 2021 had 42 tackles, eight for loss, and should continue to add playing time, along with classmate Etinosa Reuben, sophomore Payton Page and others.