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Notre Dame Football: 3 Clemson defenders to watch on Saturday

By Andrew Hall

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers is tackled by Nolan Turner #24, and K'Von Wallace #12 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers is tackled by Nolan Turner #24, and K'Von Wallace #12 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Ian Book needs to find Baylon Spector every time he is on the field Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Ian Book needs to find Baylon Spector every time he is on the field Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame Football: 3 Clemson defenders to watch on Saturday

Baylon Spector, Linebacker

During Clemson’s rise over the past ten years, Tigers Head Coach Dabo Swinney has created a culture that has utilized top level recruits and overachieving players. Baylon Spector is in that overachiever category on this Clemson defense.

Coming out of high school in 2017, Spector was a classic “tweener.” He only had three FBS offers – Clemson, Duke, and Wake Forest. Listed as a 6’2” 205 lbs during his Senior year at Calhoun High School, Spector has grown into a 230 pound starting linebacker who leads the team in total tackles with 40.

He also has 6.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. to his credit in 2020.

Myles Murphy, Defensive End

Fans may know defensive end Xavier Thomas, and top recruit Bryan Bresee ,but might have not heard about the “other 5-star recruit” in the 2020 class, Myles Murphy. Murphy’s production has outpaced the other Tigers defensive ends this fall, as he ranks second on the team in tackles with 26, and first in tackles for loss with 7.5.

The 6’5” 260 pounder from Powder Springs, Georgia was ranked seventh in the 2020 class. Normally, he would garner a lot more national attention, but, with two other five-star, top-10 players in Bresee and Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Murphy remained relatively unknown outside the Clemson program.

Irish fans should definitely learn his name because they may hear Mike Tirico call it frequently Saturday night.

Nolan Turner, Safety

Redshirt senior Nolan Turner contributed to several Tigers teams, including the 2018 National Championship squad. He brings significant big game experience, including five playoff games. This season, Turner has collected 22 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.

Ian Book will need to be aware of him on the field, as he is a very opportunistic safety with soft hands. If he tries Turner, there is a good possibility that interception No. 4 could come in this game.

Next. The Play That Changed Everything Against Georgia Tech. dark

Overall, this is going to be a tough task for the Fighting Irish, but they do have the talent on the offensive side of the ball to score against this Tigers defense. Running back Kyren Williams is one of the more prolific backs in the country this season, and if he can find room to run, Notre Dame could control time of possession and come away with an upset win.

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