'Physical' Justin Mascoll can help Clemson defense

Clemson has an elite defensive line heading into 2021. There is star power everywhere.

Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, K.J. Henry, and Xavier Thomas were former five-star recruits. Tyler Davis was an All-ACC performer as a true freshman. Justin Foster makes his return to the program after recording 10.5 tackles for loss in 2018. Brent Venables has a loaded defensive front.

Justin Mascoll heads into his redshirt junior season with not much fanfare. The Metro Atlanta native was a solid recruiting win for the Tigers in the class of 2018, but the 255-pound edge player has slowly developed. Last year, Mascoll started nine games on his way to recording 29 tackles and playing nearly 400 snaps. Defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall likes what the veteran brings to the table.

“Justin Mascoll is one of my favorites,” Hall told reporters in July. “He’s a tough, physical kid. Did a great job last year — actually started a lot of games. Now it’s just different progressions that we gotta get to, but he’s done that. No off-the-field issues or anything like that. He’s just been dialed in trying to continue to focus in on our efforts and our techniques and fundamentals, eye discipline, all those things. But I see Justin Mascoll, man, just really taking off having an awesome year, great year.”

That would be quite the development. The Tigers have an embarrassment of riches along the defensive front combined with a veteran linebacker crew led by super senior James Skalski at Mike. Mascoll gives Venables another weapon to use on the defensive line. The defensive end brings great value as a run defender while still growing as a pass rusher.

“He’s really good at setting the edge,” said Hall. “He’s a physical player. I don’t want to category him — he’s just a run defender — he can rush the passer as well. That’s where we gotta get better in the pass rush with him. Physicality, man, coming out of his hips on contact, that’s what you want. He does it better than anyone. Just needs to get more consistent.”

Consistency during fall training camp is what will allow Mascoll to carve out a role this season. With the full-time return of Foster and Thomas, snaps could be hard to find. At defensive end, Clemson will be a legit four-deep with those two plus Henry and Mascoll. However, the position coach is high on the Georgia product and that could lead to some unexpected playing time.

Clemson has a defense that has a legit shot at being the top unit in college football.

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