We have already gone on record as being colossally wrong last summer in ranking Xavier Thomas No. 3 on our list of Clemson's Top 25 players, behind only Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence.

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(To those of you who said we overrated Thomas and underrated Isaiah Simmons at No. 6, take a bow.)

We envisioned Thomas, in elevating to a starting role after the departure of Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, continuing to terrorize with his pass-rushing while also showing improvement in run-stopping and overall technique.