1. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell
Another defensive linemen? If you can believe it, I actually left a potential first-rounder from their defensive line off this list. That’s because all four of them have been projected to go in the first round in early 2019 NFL Mock Drafts. As bizarre as that sounds, it’s the truth.
Leading the pass rush for the Tigers last season was Ferrell, who is a specimen at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. He is the guy with the most upside in the NFL and his gaudy statistics from 2017 illustrate that. He finished with 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. In total, the front four accounted for 25 of Clemson’s 46 sacks in 2017.
Ferrell is an awesome talent. He will almost certainly have an impact on this game whether it shows in the stat sheet or not. It’s a matter of when, not if, he puts pressure on Aggie quarterback Kellen Mond. The key for Mond will be recognizing that and getting the ball out quick or making a play to escape the pressure.
In short, A&M faces one of the best defenses in the nation that allowed just over 13 points per game last year. Only Alabama was better. A&M’s offense will struggle to score, their defense has to keep them in the game.
Jeff Shull is the Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.