Xavier Thomas has 'been consistent' this spring

CLEMSON — Xavier Thomas’ junior season at Clemson didn’t go as planned.

The defensive end missed the beginning of the season due to complications with COVID-19 and strep throat. He was only planning to play four games and then redshirt so he could make up for the missed time in 2021. However, the NCAA’s blanket waiver granting players an extra year of eligibility changed his plans.

But at the end of the season, Thomas didn’t play in the Tigers’ two biggest games of the year — the ACC Championship Game and Sugar Bowl. It’s still unknown why he missed those games.

Thomas finished the 2020 season with appearances in seven games, finishing with four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His start-and-stop season is making this spring even more important for the senior Tiger.

“He’s been consistent,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said last week. “He was consistently inconsistent last year, just for all kinds of reasons. That’s probably been the biggest thing, just his availability. He’s been here every day, been very consistent. That’s all we need. I’m excited for him to finish up strong and really be able to have the type of offseason he needs to have and wants to have.”

A five-star prospect coming out of IMG Academy, Thomas was the No. 3 ranked player in the 2018 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His addition was felt immediately with the Tigers. In his first two seasons he played in 26 games, recording 16.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Xavier Thomas will return in 2021. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

But when Clemson needed him the most this past season, Thomas wasn’t available. Ohio State put up 639 yards of offense on Brent Venables’ defense in the College Football Playoff semifinals as the Tigers struggled to apply pressure on Justin Fields.

A strong, healthy and consistent Thomas next season could be huge for the defensive ends. The Tigers wanted to apply more pressure on quarterback in 2020, and Thomas is capable of leading the charge this year.

“If he does that, then that’s going to be good news for Clemson and for that group,” Swinney said. “That’s another group that has a chance to be pretty special, but X is a key guy. We’re going to need him.”

With Thomas’ return, Clemson was supposed to return all 11 defensive starters in 2021.

However, in early February, defensive end Justin Foster retired from football. A few weeks later, cornerback Derion Kendrick and Clemson parted ways.

Still, Clemson has a solid nucleus back. Making sure Thomas is healthy and ready to go come the fall will be key for Clemson’s defense next season.