Clemson's first-year defensive coordinator reflects on his building anticipation of filling the expansive shoes of Brent Venables.

"A lot of excitement, waking up at 4 AM and just a lot of things are running through your mind," Wes Goodwin said.

To outsiders, Goodwin was an obscure name on Clemson's staff until Dabo Swinney made the unconventional move to promote him in the wake of Venables' departure for Oklahoma.

Lemanski Hall welcomes back a load of talent to his defensive end room, but he knows it's likely that he'll lose four guys after this season. Included is Myles Murphy, who will have an opportunity to turn pro early if he has the monster season that's being forecast by Hall and others.

The Tigers begin preseason camp on Aug. 5.