--- title: "Best-ever Clemson defensive tackles include Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins. Plus: Peter Woods leads Tigers DTs season preview for 2025" description: "The best defensive tackles in Clemson history made the Tigers a true blue-blood program. Plus: 2025 DTs season preview." image: https://clemsonkickoff.com/hubfs/Best-ever-Clemson-defensive-tackles-THUMB-2025-season-preview.png --- [Skip to content](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview#main-content) [![Death Valley Intro Outline 2](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png?width=600&height=209&name=Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/) - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) # What time is Clemson kickoff?  **• Clemson at Florida St., Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m., ACCN • Clemson at Syracuse, Saturday, Nov. 7, TBD** July 29, 2025 | 8:46 AM # Best-ever Clemson defensive tackles include Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins. Plus: Peter Woods leads Tigers DTs season preview for 2025 [Staff Report](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/author/staff-report) Share: [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview) Clemson has a long history of strong play by its best defensive tackles -– and there are many in those ranks -– from Archie Reese and Jim Stuckey to the Bruise Brothers (William Perry and William DeVane) to the terrific recent run of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence and Bryan Bresee. The middle of the Clemson defensive front during the modern era has been stout and talented, and they have carried that over to the next level too. Michael Dean Perry might not be as famous as his older brother, but he had an outstanding career at Clemson and in the NFL – and outdid big bro’s numbers for their days as Tigers. Grady Jarrett might have been undersized and under-recruited, but was a star at Clemson and has been even more outstanding in the NFL. And don’t forget Chester McGlockton and Brentson Buckner.  The anchor of the Clemson defense has long been those defensive tackles. For his junior season in 2025, Peter Woods returns to the interior of the defensive line in hopes of someday joining that list of greats. For more about the 2025 Clemson defensive tackles room, including Demonte Capehart, Vic Burley and Amare Adams, be sure to watch the podcast above.  ## Statistics: Who are the best Clemson defensive tackles? - Rob Bodine (1989-91) -– First-team All-American, 48 TFL (led nation with 27 as a senior in 1991). - Bryan Bresee (2020-22) –- First-round NFL draft pick, 15 TFL, 9 sacks. - Grady Jarrett (2011-14) -– 207 tackles, 29.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 37 QB pressures, one PBU, two caused fumbles, four recovered fumbles, 1,642 snaps.Chester McGlockton (1988-91) -- First-round NFL draft pick, 20.5 sacks. - Dexter Lawrence (2016-18) –- First-team All-American, first-round NFL draft pick, 162 tackles, 20 TFL, 11 sacks, 43 QB pressures. - William Perry (1981-84) –-  First-round NFL draft pick, 25 sacks, 60 tackles for loss (TFL). - Michael Dean Perry (1984-87) -– First-team All-American, career TFL leader (61), 28 sacks. - Jim Stuckey (1976-79) –- First-round NFL draft pick, 18 sacks, 314 tackles. - Carlos Watkins (2012, 14-16) -– 191 tackles, 26 TFL, 14 sacks, 1 INT, 7 PBU. - Christian Wilkins (2015-18) –- First-team All-American, first-round NFL draft pick, career Snaps by DL leader (2,441), career PBU by DL leader (16), 250 tackles, 41 TFL, 16 sacks, 56 QB pressures. Who are your favorites? Tell us in the comments at [YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff](https://youtu.be/G7BSHStxmBA), and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff ## 2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position Each podcast episode covers both the season preview and the best all-time Clemson Tigers at each position, while each blogs is shorter and only covers either the best ever or the 2025 preview. Here are all the links you could need! ### Clemson Defensive Tackles Podcast, [https://youtu.be/G7BSHStxmBA](https://youtu.be/G7BSHStxmBA)  Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview) Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/peter-woods-demonte-capehart-power-clemsons-defensive-tackles-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/peter-woods-demonte-capehart-power-clemsons-defensive-tackles-in-2025-quick-look) ### Clemson Defensive Ends Podcast, [https://youtu.be/kO\_I18rNt\_I](https://youtu.be/kO_I18rNt_I) Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-ends-daquan-bowers-vic-beasley-shone-in-death-valley-plus-t.j.-parker-leads-2025-tigers-des-season-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-ends-daquan-bowers-vic-beasley-shone-in-death-valley-plus-t.j.-parker-leads-2025-tigers-des-season-preview) Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/t.j.-parker-forges-clemson-defensive-ends-path-ahead-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/t.j.-parker-forges-clemson-defensive-ends-path-ahead-quick-look) ### Clemson Linebackers Podcast, [https://youtu.be/c8S1Ib1IFQk](https://youtu.be/c8S1Ib1IFQk) Blog, Clemson’s best of all time:  [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/levon-kirkland-jeff-davis-best-ever-clemson-linebackers-plus-tigers-2025-lbs-preview-includes-sammy-brown](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/levon-kirkland-jeff-davis-best-ever-clemson-linebackers-plus-tigers-2025-lbs-preview-includes-sammy-brown) Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/sammy-brown-wade-woodaz-pace-clemson-linebackers-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/sammy-brown-wade-woodaz-pace-clemson-linebackers-in-2025-quick-look) ### Clemson Safeties Podcast, [https://youtu.be/3qHwV1cCt84](https://youtu.be/3qHwV1cCt84)    Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-safeties-brian-dawkins-set-standard-chased-by-others-including-khalil-barnes-in-2025](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-safeties-brian-dawkins-set-standard-chased-by-others-including-khalil-barnes-in-2025)   Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/khalil-barnes-keys-clemsons-safeties-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/khalil-barnes-keys-clemsons-safeties-in-2025-quick-look)    ### Clemson Cornerbacks Podcast: [https://youtu.be/gaSVwe\_ueZM](https://youtu.be/gaSVwe_ueZM)  Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-cornerbacks-and-tigers-2025-season-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-cornerbacks-and-tigers-2025-season-preview)     Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/avieon-terrell-ashton-hampton-lead-clemson-cornerbacks-in-2025](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/avieon-terrell-ashton-hampton-lead-clemson-cornerbacks-in-2025)   ### Clemson Wide Receivers Podcast, [https://youtu.be/s0mQ70\_\_Bq4](https://youtu.be/s0mQ70__Bq4)   Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receivers-2025-preview-tigers-wr-best-all-timer](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receivers-2025-preview-tigers-wr-best-all-timer)   Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receiver-room-boasts-bryant-wesco-antonio-williams-t.j.-moore-and-more-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receiver-room-boasts-bryant-wesco-antonio-williams-t.j.-moore-and-more-in-2025-quick-look)   ### Clemson Tight Ends Podcast, [https://youtu.be/5GS6EKIMhag](https://youtu.be/5GS6EKIMhag)  Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-tight-ends-all-time-bennie-cunningham-dwayne-allen-tigers-2025-te-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-tight-ends-all-time-bennie-cunningham-dwayne-allen-tigers-2025-te-preview)  Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/olsen-patt-henry-steers-clemsons-tight-ends-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/olsen-patt-henry-steers-clemsons-tight-ends-in-2025-quick-look)   ### Clemson Offensive Line Podcast, [https://youtu.be/pqoXa9D\_LZA](https://youtu.be/pqoXa9D_LZA)    Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-offensive-linemen-john-simpson-joe-bostic-plus-tigers-2025-season-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-offensive-linemen-john-simpson-joe-bostic-plus-tigers-2025-season-preview)   Blog, 2025 quick-look preview,  [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/blake-miller-tristan-leigh-bookend-clemson-offensive-line-in-2025](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/blake-miller-tristan-leigh-bookend-clemson-offensive-line-in-2025) ### Clemson Running Backs Podcast, [https://youtu.be/GTkz93TxyGI](https://youtu.be/GTkz93TxyGI)  Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-running-backs-travis-etienne-will-shipley-followed-footsteps-of-c.j.-spiller-terry-allen-many-more](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-running-backs-travis-etienne-will-shipley-followed-footsteps-of-c.j.-spiller-terry-allen-many-more)  Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/adam-randall-sparks-clemson-running-backs-in-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/adam-randall-sparks-clemson-running-backs-in-2025-quick-look)   ### Clemson Quarterbacks Podcast, [https://youtu.be/d2fX1Gs1oVg](https://youtu.be/d2fX1Gs1oVg)   Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-quarterbacks-all-time-and-tigers-2025-qbs-preview](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-quarterbacks-all-time-and-tigers-2025-qbs-preview)   Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, [https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-quarterback-cade-klubnik-critical-to-tigers-2025-quick-look](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-quarterback-cade-klubnik-critical-to-tigers-2025-quick-look) [Reign Supreme Alway podcast](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) ## Related posts 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