London Merritt knows what can happen if Clemson gives Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele time to operate Friday night.
So his prescription for the Tigers' defensive front is simple: Don't give him much of it.
“We definitely have to put pressure on him,” Merritt noted. “He has a good arm, and he is confident in his arm. Without any pressure, he's going to be successful.”
For Merritt and Clemson's defensive ends, that means doing more than simply chasing sacks. The transfer from Colorado wants the Tigers to consistently affect Sagapolutele’s play by collapsing the pocket, getting hits, and forcing him to operate under pressure rather than allowing plays to develop comfortably.
That could also make a significant difference for Clemson's defensive backs.
“We’ve got to lighten the load up on our DBs,” Merritt said. “I already know they're going to do their thing, but it's going to make it a lot easier for us with pressure off the edge.”
Merritt figures to be an important part of that effort tomorrow night after making an impact in Saturday’s 28-20 victory over North Carolina with two tackles and two pass breakups. On the Tar Heels’ final four-play drive, he twice got a hand on quarterback Billy Edwards Jr's arm as he attempted to throw, helping set the stage for cornerback Elliot Washington II’s game-clinching interception.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound sophomore is part of a defensive end room that gives defensive coordinator Tom Allen a variety of options. Clemson's roster includes veterans Will Heldt and Jahiem Lawson along with Merritt and a collection of other edge defenders.
At times, Allen has leaned all the way into that depth by putting four defensive ends on the field together in obvious passing situations.
To Merritt, that package sends a fairly obvious message.
“It says a lot,” Merritt said. “Our defensive end room has been a big room for us on our team.”
And when four of them are on the field together, there isn't much mystery about their assignment.
“Having four defensive ends in at a time, it definitely should scare the quarterbacks because we're coming,” he continued.
Through the opening weeks of his first season at Clemson, he believes he has developed into a more complete defensive end, capable of contributing against both the run and pass. But there is one particular step he wants to take next.
“Definitely becoming an all-around defensive end. Helping against the run, in the pass [game], getting pressure,” Merritt said. “That's going to be my biggest goal.”
Defensive ends coach Chris Rumph has emphasized using the physical tools Merritt already possesses.
“Definitely speed, use my speed, power,” Merritt said. “I feel like I have a good set of pass rush moves. He definitely emphasizes that power because I'm a pretty big-bodied defensive end, and I have a lot of quickness to me, too.”
That combination could become particularly important against Sagapolutele.
Clemson doesn't necessarily need Merritt and the rest of its defensive ends to finish every rush with Sagapolutele on the ground. But Merritt made clear that the Tigers don't want to allow the Cal quarterback to comfortably dictate the game from the pocket.
Pressure from Clemson's defensive front can alter throws, disrupt timing, and give the secondary less time to cover.
If Allen sends four defensive ends onto the field at once Friday night, Merritt says Sagapolutele should understand exactly why they're there.
We're not just in there just to be in there,” Merritt said. “We're in there to rush and impact the quarterback.”
