Opposing offensive lines are going to have to deal with Clemson’s collection of treacherous defensive ends for at least one more season. Saturday night, Xavier Thomas announced he will return to school for the 2022 season, meaning all of Clemson’s top four defensive ends will be back in the fall.
Thomas was a Third Team All-ACC selection after this past season. He recorded 27 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He led the defense with 18 quarterback pressures.
Thomas has played four seasons at Clemson but is taking advantage of the NCAA waiver for the 2020 season. He graduated from Clemson in December of 2020 earning a criminal justice degree in three years.
Earlier in the off-season, fellow defensive end KJ Henry announced he would be returning as well for 2022. They join Justin Mascoll and Myles Murphy in giving the Tigers their four-man rotation at defensive end for another season.
