Clemson football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2020

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 27: Defensive End Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #2 Ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Clemson football (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Clemson football breakout candidate No. 3: Tyler Davis, DL

With the departures of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, among others, from the defensive line following the 2018 season, there were always going to be the need for replacements in the trenches. As it turns out, it was freshman Tyler Davis who really stepped into the void left by those star veterans and impressed in his first taste of action with the Tigers.

Davis was a monster for the Clemson defense a season ago, earning All-ACC honors along the way. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle played in all 15 games and ended the year with 45 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. And while you could make the argument that he already had his breakout campaign after a year like that, he could be in the mix for something even greater in 2020.

Some people might look at Davis and wonder how it’ll be possible for him to break out with the newcomers for Clemson joining the fray. The Tigers did add a pair of 5-star tackles in Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy entering the 2020 season, both of whom are players that are likely too good to keep off of the field.

Having said that, Bresee and Murphy may actually help Davis. With the offensive line unable to pay complete attention to Davis, who has already proven himself as a disruptor on the interior, that could allow him to make even more plays. If he touches double-digit sacks in the 2020 season, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone.

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