Pre-Summer Camp Depth Chart- DT

Brandon Thompson

NG:  Brandon Thompson, Sr.

  At 6'2" 308 lbs, Thompson is the biggest and most experienced of Clemson's defensive lineman.  This will be Thompson's first year without First Team All-ACC DT Jarvis Jenkins.  Thompson will have to deal with numerous double teams this year.  He has been consistent, but unable to get to the quarterback.  Thompson has the potential to be a great defensive tackle and is ranked as the top senior defensive tackle in the 2012 NFL Draft by CBSSports.com.

Rennie Moore

DT:  Rennie Moore, Sr.

  At 6'4" 276 lbs, Moore is bursting with energy.  Taking over for Jenkins, Moore hopes to add another 5-10 lbs before the start of next year in the hopes of being able to better handle the run-stuffing aspect of the job.  The key will be his retaining the ability to get to the quarterback.  Moore is solid, and has plenty of experience.  Hopefully we will see #94 in the opposing teams backfield a lot this year!

Second Team

Tyler Shatley

NG:  Tyler Shatley, Soph.

  "Power Hour" Strongman Champion for spring practice of 2010.  Shatley came to Clemson as a 6'3" 250 lb fullback.  Since then, he has bulked up to 295 lbs and is the backup to Brandon Thompson at NG.   Shatley has become a solid player, and is critical for the success of this very young defensive line.

Tavaris Barnes

DT:  Tavaris Barnes, Rfr.

  Barnes is a young player that is blessed with a ton of talent.  The emergence of Corey Crawford, coupled with Barnes' ability to play inside, allowed Barnes to move over behind Rennie Moore.  Barnes firmly took control of this second team spot during the spring over highly touted Rfr. Josh Watson.  Barnes(6'3" 273 lbs) is a star of the future and I look forward to watching him grow up before our eyes this season.

Backups and Incoming Freshmen.

DeShawn Williams

NG:  DeShawn Williams, Fr.
         Grady Jarrett, Fr.
         Jerome Maybank, Fr.

  Williams has the best chance of all three players to get playing time this season.  Jarrett is another possible player to avoid a redshirt.  Maybank is reported to have a lot of work to do and will definitely be a redshirt.

Josh Watson

DT:  Josh Watson, Rfr.
        Tra Thomas, Rfr.
        Roderick Byers, Fr.

  Watson was highly ranked coming in, but has not seemed to grasp the concepts of Coach Steele's defense.  Watson has a lot of work to do this summer.  Thomas is a little undersized at 5'11" 270 lbs and has also had trouble with work ethic.  Byers will have a chance to play this season, but is a projected redshirt.

Tra Thomas

  This defensive tackle unit is very good in the top tier, but the second team is very young.  Thompson and Moore have the potential to pose major headaches for opposing coordinators.  Barnes and Shatley are solid and should be good in backup duty.  The key will be injuries.  This line cannot afford to lose anyone this year.  I expect Dan Brooks to have most of these young players coached up and ready to play later in the year, but it will be the first few games that will be major tests.

Grady Jarrett

Roderick Byers