Everyone who closely follows the ACC will agree that Clemson has the league’s best defense heading into the 2018 season. The Tigers return America’s top defensive line. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell and defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence were all named first-team All-ACC, while defensive end Austin Bryant was named second-team All-ACC. Also back is middle linebacker Kendall Joseph, who was a third-team all-league selection.
But which school has the ACC’s second-best defense heading into 2018?
Clear choice
Duke, which finished third in the ACC in total defense in 2017 and returns first-team All-ACC linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and cornerback Mark Gilbert, makes a solid case. But the nod has to go to Miami.
The Canes finished fifth in the ACC in total defense last fall, averaging just over 342 yards allowed per game. But it’s what Miami has coming back that gives them a solid chance of being the top defense in the Coastal Division this fall.
The Canes lost R.J. McIntosh, the junior defensive tackle who parlayed a second-team All-ACC selection in 2017 into a fifth round selection this spring by the New York Giants. There are some additional question marks at defensive end. But beyond that, much of the team’s defensive firepower returns.
Miami returns it top four tacklers from last season, including rover Jaquan Johnson (96 tackles), linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (83 tackles), linebacker Michael Pinckney (68 tackles), and safety Sheldrick Redwine (59 tackles). Johnson also added four interceptions, as did fellow returner Michael Jackson. Johnson, Jackson, and Quarterman were all named second-team All-ACC last fall.
Defensive end Joe Jackson also returns after recording 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Also back will be linebacker Zach McCloud (48 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks in 2017), and cornerback Malek Young (43 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions). Combined, Miami brings back eight of its top ten tacklers from last season.
Experience key
Not only does Miami’s defense have the benefit of much of its starters returning. They’re an experienced group. Michael Jackson and Johnson are rising seniors, while Joe Jackson, McCloud, Quarterman, Pinckney, Redwine, and Young are all juniors. There’s hundreds of combined starts to draw from among this talented group.
The Canes have a favorable schedule. Although UM opens at LSU on Labor Day weekend, that’s the toughest non-conference game by far. The Canes avoid Notre Dame this fall, and host Florida State in Coral Gables. The biggest defensive challenge for Miami, aside of LSU, figures to be a Nov. 17 showdown in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech, which could determine the Coastal Division champ.
If Miami stays healthy, they’ll have the ACC’s second-best defense. The big question is whether it will be enough to give the Canes another chance to take on Clemson in December’s ACC Championship Game.
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