Sophomore Defensive Tackle Looks to Take Next Step For Clemson Tigers in 2026

Clemson’s defensive line saw an overhaul from 2025 to 2026, meaning opportunities have risen for the rest of the room. True sophomore Amare Adams looks to capitalize on that.

Being the last five-star recruit that the Tigers have recruited, coming from the 2025 class, Adams was expected to follow in the footsteps of previous NFL Draft selections like Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart, Ruke Orhorhoro, Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis in recent years.

But, adversity hit, and an injury lingered until the spring. Despite that, he’s ready to take on the open role next season.

“It’s a blessing. It’s hard when you get the game taken away from you for a while, and you really realize how much you appreciate the game after you come back,” Adams said. “So, I’m really just blessed to be back and blessed to be here working with my brothers.”

Under defensive coordinator Tom Allen in his second season, Clemson will look to tighten up to fix the issues that led to breakdowns from his first year. Busted coverages, being unable to stop the run and missed assignments accumulated over the 13-game season to take to the Tigers to their worst finish since the 2010 season.

The backbone of all of that is winning at the line of scrimmage. Adams is hungry to do so in his second season of college football.

“It makes me hungry just seeing how last year went, and we have a windshield mentality,” he said. “We don’t worry about the past, so I just want to bring everything I got to the field, all I can for my brothers.”

So far, fall camp has not been kind to the defensive tackles room. Head coach Dabo Swinney said after the team’s final scrimmage that there hasn’t been a player who has stepped up to be an “alpha” within the group. Among the candidates, however, is Adams, who could be an underrated piece for the defense entering next season.

However, the sophomore believes that everybody is improving with each practice, regarding off the coaching staff’s belief.

“The benefit is just getting everybody better, because you don’t want no complacency in the room because that complacency just kills hard work,” Adams said. “So, you just got the guys just working. Everybody’s trying to play.”

It’s why Clemson added several transfers to that front, too. Markus Strong, Kourtney Kelly, DeVarrick Woods and Andy Burburija make up those new pieces with the trenches, and not only has Adams learned from them as a player, but he’s understanding the leadership as well.

“They just work hard, and I love those guys,” he said. “They’re really coming in and being leaders.”

As the Tigers prepare for LSU in the opening week of the schedule, Adams will look to play a significant role in stopping the run and getting the quarterback Sam Leavitt. He has the capability to be a gamewrecker next season, he just wants the opportunity to show it.

And he will certainly have his chance, but he’s trusting his journey.

“I’m walking by faith and not by sight, and I’m going to just let that handle, and I’m going to let God handle it.”

Enjoy our content? Make ClemsonOnSI a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our storiesby clicking here.

Add us as a preferred source on Google