Clemson defensive lineman returning for another season

Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas has announced that he will be returning to school for a sixth season.

Thomas missed most of this past year with a foot injury. He recorded two sacks in three games while playing limited snaps.

The Florence native suffered a broken foot during fall camp, before making his season debut against Boston College in early October.

Thomas played three games in October, before reinjuring his foot in practice.

“I got back in the best shape of my life for the season in 2022. Breaking my foot in early August was very unfortunate. … I attempted to come back too early before being 100 percent healed, and it re-cracked in practice, which led to me not being able to play this year at all,” Thomas said in a video.

“I’m not going out like that. Not XT. That’s not who I am. I’m returning to Clemson to play college football. Not only to play, but to dominate it and be the best defensive prospect in the country and lead this team to another national championship.”

Xavier Thomas signed with Clemson as a five-star recruit in the class of 2018 and immediately contributed for the Tigers.

He had 43 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman that season.

Thomas was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2019, finishing with 31 tackles, including eight tackles for loss.

In 2020, Thomas had complications from COVID-19 but was able to play seven games. He recorded 11 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss.

Thomas was once again a third-team All-ACC selection in 2021, finishing with 21 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.

Thomas was one of three Clemson defenders to announce that they are returning for the 2023 season on Thursday, joining safety Jalyn Phillips and cornerback Sheridan Jones.

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 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.