Las Vegas’ defensive-tackle depth is under the microscope as training camp unfolds. Christian Wilkins was released after a protracted foot injury, leaving Adam Butler as the presumed starter and a rotation of bodies behind him. Leki Fotu has been in a walking boot with no clear return timeline. J.J. Pegues, Jonah Laulu, Tonka Hemingway, Zach Carter, and fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway are all in the mix, with Thomas Booker and Keondre Coburn pushing for roster spots. The Raiders even swapped for Booker in a trade with Philadelphia, sending corner Jakorian Bennett the other way.

Fan polls show a strong push to add a DT before Week 1, and the 53-man cut on August 26 should trigger at least one move. The Seattle preseason game offered a glimpse of a committee rather than a single pillar, signaling a fantasy angle centered on multi-man interior reps rather than a clear-cut starter. Butler provides floor reliability; the rookies offer speculative upside in deeper formats if they climb into significant run defense snaps.

Clemson aims to forge its own legacy in 2025, moving past wall banners that honored past heroes and demanding that today’s Tigers earn every accolade. Wade Woodaz frames it as a push to define greatness from within, not by walls or nostalgia. The program enters as a top national contender, with Cade Klubnik at the helm after 2024’s strong continuity and a veteran offense around him.

No. 6 in the preseason poll, Clemson returns depth and production, and the coaching staff kept Garrett Riley and much of the line intact, signaling an offense with Heisman chatter surrounding Klubnik. The defense plugs in familiar faces like Woodaz and Capehart, while the new coordinator Tom Allen reshapes expectations around a newer “Power Rangers” front that mirrors historic Clemson fronts but seeks its own peak. A showdown with LSU to start the season looms large, setting the tone for a run at the CFP and a possible repeat bid in a 12-team era.

Swinney’s message is blunt: be talked about like Grady Jarrett or Trevor Lawrence only if you prove it on the field. The Tigers’ schedule tests them in August and beyond, with Georgia Tech, SMU, Louisville and a brutal rival tilt with South Carolina shaping a gauntlet that demands the program grow up quickly. The piece ties legacy to urgency, arguing that this group has to earn its place on banners and in the facility’s walls, not just in the memory of Clemson’s history.

With the release of Christian Wilkins, the Las Vegas Raiders have put both their finances and performance on the line, putting pressure on their defensive line. Adam Butler, now the top defensive tackle, had a breakout season last year recording 65 tackles and 5 sacks. His consistent performance amidst challenges showcases his importance to the team. The team's defensive strategy may hinge on Butler's ability to lead and adapt in a pivotal season ahead.