Clemson football: Don’t sleep on Xavier Thomas having a bounce-back season

Can Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas have a bounce-back season in 2020?

If anyone needs to have a bounce-back year for the Clemson Tigers, it’s Xavier Thomas. He can be a difference-maker for the Clemson Tigers next season especially now that the team will have a conference-only.

The Clemson Tigers were ranked the No.1 team in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll for the second season in a row. After finishing 14-1 last season, the Tigers have an opportunity to win another national title led by Trevor Lawrence. On the defensive side of the ball, Thomas can emerge as the leader of the defense in that pursuit.

In his first two seasons with the Tigers, he has recorded 74 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. However, while surrounded by so much talent last year, Thomas didn’t quite live up to expectations, finishing with 27 combined tackles, eight for loss and only 1.5 sacks.

This year can be different. It needs to be different.

Xavier Thomas needs to excel in 2020 in order for his NFL Draft stock to soar

Thomas has a high motor and explosive first step off of the line of scrimmage and can disrupt an opposing offense’s flow in a big way. He does a great job of getting past his blocker when standing up or having his hand in the dirt. His junior season could be the year he needs to rise on the draft boards of NFL teams and draft experts.

The former five-star recruit has the size, strength, agility and talent to be a difference-maker just like past Clemson defensive stalwarts who have gone from top recruit to college star to first-round draft pick.

Clemson’s offensive talent with Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne should be more than enough to win another ACC title and get back to the College Football Playoff. However, if they run into Ohio State again in the playoff or a high-octane Oklahoma offense or SEC super-team like Alabama or Georgia, it’ll be imperative for the Clemson defense to be able to get crucial stops.

That’s where Thomas will be most important because he can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. He can rush the passer or drop back in coverage against tight ends and backs out of the backfield. He may not have Isaiah Simmon’s range as a center-fielder, but he is a better pass-rusher and should be better against the run.

Look for Thomas to be one of the biggest x-factors in the ACC as he looks to win another national championship.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.