The Clemson defense has experienced its share of struggles through the first five games of the season, but one position group has consistently stood out, with Southern Miss transfer Corey Myrick emerging as one of its most productive players.
As Clemson (3-2) prepares to host Charleston Southern (3-3) on Saturday following a bye week, the secondary remains a bright spot despite the team's disappointing 41-13 loss to No. 5 Miami on Oct. 3.
The Hurricanes entered the matchup with one of the nation's hottest passing attacks, but Clemson's defensive backs managed to limit quarterback Darian Mensah to season lows in completion percentage (66%) and touchdown passes (one). Dynamic receiver Malachi Toney was also held in check, finishing with five receptions for just 40 yards.
Despite the lopsided final score, Myrick believes the performance reinforced what the secondary has demonstrated throughout the season.
"It gives us a lot of confidence," said Myrick, who had a team-high eight tackles in the game. "Just, you know, I feel like we've been doing that all season, not just Miami. So just building that confidence every week."
Myrick leads the team with 43 total tackles through five games, finishing as the team's leading tackler three times and ranking second in the other two contests.
His production has helped stabilize a secondary that entered the season with several new faces, including fellow transfers Elliot Washington II, the team leader in interceptions (3), and Jerome Carter III (tied for third in tackles with 35).
Still, Myrick recognizes that individual production and strong coverage performances mean little if the defense cannot consistently put everything together.
The bye week provided an opportunity to address those shortcomings, including tackling, an area in which Myrick acknowledged he needs to improve.
"We had a lot we could get better at too. If it's from tackling, knowing the schemes better, just starting to prepare for the next opponent," said Myrick, who stated on Tuesday that he has missed tackles. "So, we attacked that bye week, just preparing for the next opponent. You know, still doing everything we did for the first five weeks and just continue to prepare."
While Clemson used the extra week to make adjustments, the secondary now faces a significant personnel change.
Nickel Corian Gipson is out for the rest of the season after meniscus surgery, leaving Clemson without a key contributor at one of the defense's most demanding positions.
Auburn transfer Donovan Starr is expected to step into the starting role, while Misun Kelley will remain the primary backup and also see time at cornerback.
Starr, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, already has starting experience this season. He made his first career start against California when Gipson was unavailable, recording two tackles.
Although replacing Gipson presents a challenge, Starr is prepared, according to Myrick.
"He's ready. He been ready since the season started. He flashed in camp a lot. He was actually one of the DBs that I feel was making that stretch on being a top DB and making them plays."
Myrick pointed to Starr's coverage ability and willingness to support the run defense as reasons he fits well into defensive coordinator Tom Allen's scheme.
Starr also brings impressive athleticism to the position. The Bloomington, Ill native has been clocked at 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash and recorded a personal best of 6 feet, 9 inches in the high jump as a standout prep track athlete.
Clemson enters Saturday's matchup with seven regular-season games remaining and little room for additional setbacks after its two losses.
The upcoming stretch offers a chance to build on the positives from the first five games while correcting the mistakes that contributed to the defeats.
Myrick, however, isn't interested in looking too far ahead or treating the remainder of the schedule as a separate season.
"Just take it a week at a time. Just play every game, and continue to execute every game that we can. We can't really look forward [to] a seven-week season, however you want to say it. Just play every game that comes to us."
