Getty Images Chris Trotman

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the Tigers’ defense is the biggest hole in my “Why Clemson can win the title” argument. After losing Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd (both first-round picks) as well as a couple other key players off last year’s squad, this group will be young and inexperienced. At the same time, let me ask you this: Didn’t we say the same thing about the Tigers at this time last year after they lost Vic Beasley, Stephone Anthony and others to the NFL? Exactly. It’s also why I’m not as concerned as everyone else about the defense. The simple truth is that Clemson has recruited as well as anyone in the ACC not named “Florida State” the last few years (with three Top 15 classes in four years according to 24/7 Sports), and when you recruit at the level of a Clemson, LSU, FSU or ‘Bama, you’re going to lose a lot of good players to the NFL. It’s also why I believe they will be able to reload like those others teams too. No, you might not be familiar with names like Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins or Kendall Joseph, but all were highly ranked coming out of high school, and all should be able to step in and fill the void left by those behind them (just like Dodd, Lawson and others did last year). Add in veterans like linebacker Ben Boulware and corner Cordrea Tankersley, and while this Tigers’ defense might not be as good as last year, it won’t fall as far as many are projecting either.