Pair of Clemson defenders returning for one more season

Clemson senior defensive backs Sheridan Jones and Jalyn Phillips are returning for one more season.

The duo announced the news on social media Thursday afternoon, each making separate posts.

Both players have an extra year of eligibility remaining due to getting a COVID-19 year from the NCAA. They announced on Thursday that they will use it and return to school.

Jones started all 10 games he played in this season, finishing with 27 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He missed the Orange Bowl against Tennessee due to a hip flexor injury.

Phillips started all 14 games in 2022 and was second on the team in tackles with 74. He had 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Clemson could return its entire starting secondary now as Nate Wiggins and Andrew Mukuba are both rising juniors.

Jones signed with Clemson out of Virginia as a four-star prospect in the class of 2019. He was an immediate contributor for the Tigers, seeing action in 14 games as a true freshman.

As a sophomore in 2020, Jones appeared in 11 games and made eight starts. He finished that season with 22 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception.

Jones was once again a part-time starter in 2021, making three starts while appearing in 13 games.

Phillips signed with Clemson as a four-star prospect in the class of 2019 out of Georgia.

He was also an immediate contributor for the Tigers and had a key role off the bench in 2019, 2020 and 2021, before becoming a full-time starter in 2022.

Phillips did start one game in 2020 and six in 2021, before becoming a full-time starter.

Clemson could get more good news soon as other Tigers still have a decision to make on whether to move on or return for another year.

Receiver Joseph Ngata, defensive tackle Tyler Davis, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and defensive end Xavier Thomas are among the players still deciding where they will be next season.

Tight end Davis Allen, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, defensive end KJ Henry, offensive lineman Jordan McFadden, defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson are headed to the NFL.

Clemson finished 11-3 this past season, winning the ACC championship for the seventh time in eight years.

However, the Tigers went 0-3 against non-ACC Power 5 teams.

This is an important offseason for Dabo Swinney’s program, which also lost several players to the transfer portal.

You can keep up with all of Clemson’s offseason roster moves here.