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Clemson football team has major holes to fill on defensive line

Clemson defensive coach Brent Venables is pulled back by an assistant during a game in Clemson, S.C., on Nov. 17. (AP file photo)

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hears so many questions about the Tigers’ defensive losses that he has lost count.

He heard it again Tuesday — probably not for the last time.

This time it came from one of those impact players no longer on the roster.

Former Tiger Albert Huggins followed up a statement with the burning question for his college coach. “Last year, the defensive line was so deep, man. How much are you going to miss those guys?”

Quite a lot, Swinney said.

Clemson is without seven defensive starters from the lineup that walloped Alabama 44-16 last January to win its second college crown in three seasons. That includes All-Americans in defensive end Clelin Ferrell and tackle Christian Wilkins, who were among three Tiger lineman selected in the opening round of the NFL draft last April.

Huggins started in place of suspended tackle Dexter Lawrence — the third first-rounder — in that title game. Linebackers Kendall Joseph and Tre Lamar are gone as is cornerback Trayvon Mullen, the defensive MVP of the championship game who was picked 40th overall by the Oakland Raiders.

“We’ve got good depth talent wise,” Swinney said. “But we don’t have experienced depth. Whereas last year, it was just the opposite because we were rolling NFL guys in there.”

Swinney is sure to face more questions about his defense when he, safety Tanner Muse and offensive lineman John Simpson appear at ACC media days on Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Little, Swinney said, will be answered until Clemson’s new lineup goes through summer workouts and a bunch of games in defense of their 15-0 title season.

It is a wholesale replacement job defensive coordinator Brent Venables has faced before.

After the 2014 season, the Tigers lost its four starting linemen including Vic Beasley and tackle Grady Jarrett.

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