Tré Williams on the Clemson Defense "We want to be the number one defense in the country"

Senior defensive tackle Tré Williams has a much larger role in the Clemson defense this upcoming season following the departures of Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro. He dove in on that new role with the media following practice. Read his quotes below. 

On the Mentality of the Defensive Line After Losing Guys to the NFL: No drop off. I feel like we got brought here for the same reason they did, so just because they left, there should be no drop-off in the Clemson defensive tackle room. This university has a standard of defensive tackle that we’ve got to uphold, and we don’t carry that lightly. 

On If This Group is as Deep as Years Past: I mean, it’s kind of hard. I feel like when has a Clemson defensive tackle room not been deep? You’ve got to think, even back in 2015, 2014, and 2012, all those teams, we’ve always been deep. This is D-Line U and D-Tackle U. So, I feel like we’ve always been deep. But as far as comparing it to the other teams, I feel like we’re right on par with everybody else. 

On What Coach Easton Brings to the Staff: I feel like Coach Easton has been a blessing for all of us. I mean, he’s just teaching us how to be better men of the field. So, I’m forever grateful for Coach Easton and everything he’s done for us, and I can’t wait to continue getting coached by him. 

On the Hunger the Clemson Defense Has: I feel like last year, we finished top eight in total defense, and that’s not what we want to be. We want to be the number one defense in the country, and we have all the pieces for that, regardless of who left, who’s here, and who’s not. I feel like this we have right here, right now, wants to be the number one defense in the country, and every day of practice, we’re going out there to prove that.