Shift Happens: Clemson's 2018 season just got a shot in the arm

Less than a week ago, Clemson’s chances of making it back to the College Football Playoff for a fourth consecutive season seemed to be taking steps in the wrong direction.

It started Sunday with the surprise announcements that juniors Ray-Ray McCloud and Van Smith were leaving early for the NFL.

Following the conclusion of the season, Clemson fans had some guesses as to who might leave early. Those two names were not on many lists.

It left people wondering: "Who's next?"

The early departure of Deon Cain was expected. Some thought, and rightfully so, that he could have used another season to get ready for the NFL.

Taylor Hearn made his decision known in December, and by virtue of Christian Wilkins’ participation in Senior Day at Death Valley, most assume that the Springfield, Massachusetts native may be out the door as well.

Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant weren’t locks to leave, but no one would have begrudged them for heading for the paycheck.

Instead, Clemson announced today that Ferrell and Bryant would return. It was also announced just moments ago that Kendall Joseph and Mark Fields will be a part of the 2018 Clemson Tiger football team.

That leaves one name out there, Christian Wilkins.

We don’t know what Wilkins has planned, but he must come to a decision Sunday.

As high as expectations are around Clemson’s program, losing three of college football’s top defensive lineman would have certainly shifted the conversations about what Clemson might be this coming season.

Throughout the week, I reflected on players who left early during my time at Clemson. The Tigers were never great but always had just enough talent to lose a player or two early.

In 1996, it was defensive tackle, Trevor Pryce. In 1997, linebacker Anthony Simmons took his talents to the NFL a year early. The following season another defensive star, Rahim Abdullah, packed his bags for the league.

Surely Clemson would have been better had those players returned.

In those days, Clemson didn't have the talent to absorb the losses from a single entry into the draft. Recently, Clemson has put more players in the NFL early, yet the Tigers have sustained success.

Since 2013, not including Taylor Hearn, McCloud, Cain, and Smith from this season, Clemson has lost Bashaud Breeland, Martavis Bryant, Sammy Watkins, Isaiah Battle, Bradley Pinion, Kevin Dodd, T.J. Green, Jayron Kearse, Shaq Lawson, Mackensie Alexander, Wayne Gallman, Artavis Scott, Deshaun Watson, and Mike Williams.

That's a ton of top-level talent out the door early.

Amazingly in the midst of the early exodus, Clemson has managed to get to the college football playoff three times, the championship game twice, and brought home a national title in 2016.

It speaks volumes about player development and recruiting.

Even given Clemson’s player development and recent recruiting trends, replacing Wilkins, Ferrell, and Bryant up front was going to be a tall task. In my estimation, those are not “plug and play” guys.

Now the Tigers wait. If Wilkins returns, it is the cherry on top for Clemson.

As for the losses that Clemson will have, losing Cain will hurt some, but Clemson is loaded at wideout. The emergence of Tee Higgins was becoming a storyline late in the season. Higgins is more than capable of replacing Cain.

McCloud’s loss will likely be felt most in the punt return game (25 attempts, 303 yards, one touchdown), but the sure-handed Hunter Renfrow will still be there as a possession returner.

Van Smith at safety and left guard Taylor Hearn are replaceable and Clemson likely moves forward at both positions without much issue.

The Power Rangers aren’t back, but we are getting close. If Wilkins decides to return, Clemson’s defensive line will be the top in college football.

Shift happens and the latest news shifts Clemson closer to a fourth consecutive playoff berth.