PFF ranks Clemson with a Top 3 defense as the Tigers' defense looks to return to form
PFF's Max Chadwick pointed to the defensive line as the strength of the unit, anchored by projected 2026 NFL Draft stars Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. 'The Tigers boast the best defensive line in college football,' Chadwick wrote. 'They're both top-10 players in the nation and project as the best prospects at their respective positions in the 2026 NFL Draft.'
PFF also ranks Clemson's secondary fourth overall and its linebacker corps inside the top 10, giving new defensive coordinator Tom Allen a deep and talented unit to work with. Allen replaces Wes Goodwin after Clemson's defense struggled last season, ranking just 69th in yards allowed and 49th in points allowed per game.
The Tigers were 29th in ESPN's SP+ defensive ratings a year ago, continuing a slide from the top-tier marks they posted under Brent Venables, who last had the unit ranked third nationally in 2021.
Clemson joins several other national powers that landed in PFF's top 10 on both sides of the ball, including Alabama, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Oregon.
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