Clemson depth chart has quality and quantity at safety

CLEMSON — The safeties are the last line of defense in college football. These are the players that must prevent big plays from happening by not letting any offensive players get behind them. As the sport has evolved, this position has become essential. With nickel and dime packages becoming a common occurrence, sometimes the safety position has three or four players on the field at a time.

The Tigers return two pillars at the safety position, to go along with a couple of dynamite rookies. Elsewhere, there are plenty of players on the roster ready for their chance to make an impact.

As our post-spring depth chart series rolls on after diving into defensive tackles, defensive ends, linebackers, and cornerbacks at ClemsonSports.com, we’re to going to break down how things currently sit on the last position of the defense.

Clemson starters

Nolan Turner: The super senior enters his sixth season at Clemson, and Turner brings production to go along with experience. Turner picked Clemson over UAB in the class of 2016 and has exceeded expectations. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defensive back has recorded 190 tackles in his career with 17 pass breakups and six interceptions.

Lannden Zanders: In his first year starting, Zanders made a positive impact. The North Carolina native recorded 34 tackles in nine starts, making himself a proven commodity heading into 2021. The former three-star recruit has developed into a very good player and will provide the defense some much-needed experience as a junior.

Joseph Charleston: Charleston started six games last season, playing over 500 snaps. The junior recorded 55 tackles in his second year in the program. A former top-150 recruit, Charleston will need to provide some playmaking for the Tigers this season.

Who is next?

The coaching staff is really high on Andrew Mukuba. (Twitter/Andrew Mukuba)

R.J. Mickens: A safety from Texas, Mickens played in 10 games as a true freshman last season. The six-foot defensive back figures to be a deep safety that is used as a center fielder and last line of defense. The former blue-chip prospect recorded an interception in the spring game.

Andrew Mukuba: The true freshman missed the spring game with an injury, but that did not stop the Mukuba hype train. The young player from Austin, Texas got rave reviews this spring from just about everyone in the program, and the expectation should be for him to make some type of impact this fall. A top-200 recruit, Mukuba got snaps at corner, nickel, and safety this spring. This is a dynamic young football player.

“Andrew is a dynamic player in all phases of the game,” said safeties coach Mickey Conn on signing day. “The thing that caught my eye when I first started recruiting Andrew was how physical a player this kid is. This kid hits like a linebacker. But he’s fast like a corner and changes direction like a corner and can play man coverage like a corner.”

Jalyn Phillips: One of the surprise performers in the spring game, Phillips led all players with seven solo tackles and looks like a player ready to contribute in his third season. The junior from the Atlanta suburbs was a top-500 prospect out of high school who has played in 25 career games for Clemson.

Ray Thornton III: Thornton was a three-star prospect out of Alabama who has played in 161 snaps since stepping on campus. The redshirt sophomore seems poised to claim a spot in the two-deep at one of the safety spots. The third-year defensive back played at Phenix City (Ala.) High with star wideout Justyn Ross. That is also the same high school as young receiver E.J. Williams.

Tyler Venables: The defensive coordinator’s son is listed at safety, but the sophomore could take a position somewhere else. Clemson is working Venables at the nickel position, giving him a chance to take some snaps as a hybrid Sam linebacker. That spot is currently owned by Trenton Simpson, but Venables could find his way into the lineup if more speed is needed. In the spring game, the young player was dynamic as a blitzer, creating multiple pressures.

Unproven Commodities

Barrett Carter: The five-star true freshman out of Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett High still hasn’t arrived on campus, but that has not tempered expectations. The hybrid player could play either safety or linebacker and has drawn some comparisons to former superstar Isaiah Simmons. Carter has big-time playmaking ability and his versatility has people excited.

“He can strike, he can blitz, he can cover one-on-one, man-to-man. Played wildcat quarterback for them, played receiver.” Said defensive coordinator Brent Venables on signing day. “Got great speed, tremendous instincts, plays really fast. Brings tremendous position versatility to our defense.”