Paul Myerberg

USA TODAY Sports

Though star quarterback Deshaun Watson is headed to the NFL and substantive changes are set to take place on defense, it’s difficult to project Clemson will make another run to the College Football Playoff in 2017, even if the Tigers should again be viewed as one of the elite teams on the Power Five level.

That the program won’t take a noticeable step back next fall is a testament to the Tigers’ success in recruiting, which has loaded this roster with more than enough talent to at least partially offset the departure of several key figures behind back-to-back conference championships.

Still, it’s with some anxiety that Dabo Swinney and Clemson embark on life without Watson, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and very likely the finest player in school history.

To achieve a similar level of success in the post-Watson era will demand that the returning core of talent takes a step forward during the offseason. New leaders must be found; new starters must be unearthed.

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No position will draw more eyeballs than the battle for the starting role under center, which will focus on rising junior Kelly Bryant, rising redshirt freshman Zerrick Cooper and incoming true freshman Hunter Johnson.

But that won’t be the only group ravaged by departures for the NFL draft. There will be gaps to be filled in the receiver corps should current juniors Mike Williams and Artavis Scott leave a season ahead of schedule. Tight end Jordan Leggett has exhausted his eligibility. Running back Wayne Gallman is expected to give up his senior year.

The defense loses a number of seniors: Carlos Watkins at end, Ben Boulware at linebacker and Cordrea Tankersley and Jadar Johnson in the secondary, for example.

The losses are severe enough to slightly alter expectations. For the past two years, it’s been championship-or-bust for Clemson. For 2017, however, the Tigers should be viewed as a top-10 team capable of double-digit wins in the regular season, but not one included the leading favorites to reach the Playoff.

Then again, Clemson has earned the benefit of the doubt. The offense should reload behind a new cast and find a high level of success, even if not to this year’s high standard. The Brent Venables-coached defense still has the pieces to be the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

In other words, there will be life after Watson. Even if 2017 finds the Tigers taking a slight step back, this program will maintain its place among the elite of college football and begin to build the foundation for another run at the national title.

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