Isaiah Simmons
FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by the Clemson defense during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The crunching hits, game-changing interceptions and dominating defense is the same for No. 1 Clemson. It's just the names that change from year to year. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
No. 1 Clemson has new faces on defense and still dominating

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 20, 2020 03:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches players warm up for the team's Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz. The top-ranked Tigers are 29-1 over the past two seasons and have won five straight ACC championships. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
No. 1 Clemson, QB Lawrence prep for another championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 01, 2020 11:52 AM EDT

Clemson football player Tee Higgins runs the 40-yard dash during NFL Pro Day Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson's Simmons shows off for NFL personnel at pro day

By Pete Iacobelli Mar. 12, 2020 05:07 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, meets LSU quarterback Joe Burrow on the field after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson D, Lawrence falter as LSU rolls to championship

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney plays the cymbal on the drum of a member of the 3rd Line Brass Band as he arrives with the team for the NCAA College Football Playoff title game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. Clemson is scheduled to play LSU on Monday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Analysis: Clemson will win with talent to slow LSU, Burrow

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 11, 2020 02:21 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
No. 1 LSU faces No. 3 Clemson for CFP national championship

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2020 01:44 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Isaiah Simmons (11) and Denzel Johnson react after making a defensive play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Clemson, S.C. Simmons was selected to The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, and named Defensive Player of the Year, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Can Clemson's versatile defenders flummox LSU and Burrow?

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2020 06:02 PM EST

Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) celebrates after his interception against Ohio State in the final minute of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LSU cruises, Clemson survives for title game clash

By David Brandt Dec. 29, 2019 12:37 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, works against Florida Atlantic during an NCAA football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State said, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, the NCAA has concluded that star DE Chase Young must sit out one more football game before he can return. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Playoff matchups: OU slowdown vs LSU; Clemson keys on Young

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 24, 2019 09:51 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young laughs on the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill. Young was selected to The Associated Press All-Am erica team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Stars Simmons, Young lead defenses in Clemson-Ohio St clash

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 19, 2019 12:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Minnesota defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. (11) gestures during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, in Minneapolis. Winfield was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
AP All-America teams dominated by LSU, Ohio State

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 16, 2019 12:02 PM EST

Auburn's Derrick Brown wins Lott IMPACT Trophy

Dec. 15, 2019 11:53 PM EST
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Derrick Brown of Auburn has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy given to the nation's top defensive player who excels in both performance...

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Miami tight end Brevin Jordan (9) celebrates a Miami take away in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Tallahassee, Fla. Jordan was selected to The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser, File)
Clemson RB Etienne, LB Simmons lead AP All-ACC teams

By Joedy Mccreary Dec. 10, 2019 12:50 PM EST

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young poses with the The 2019 Bronko Nagurski Award before the awards banquet in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Ohio State's Chase Young wins Nagurski Award

By Steve Reed Dec. 09, 2019 10:03 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs between Virginia safety Joey Blount (29) and Virginia safety Chris Moore (7) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
No. 3 Clemson tops No. 22 Virginia 62-17 for ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 07, 2019 11:09 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) runs the ball past Virginia Tech defender TyJuan Garbutt (45) during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Charlottesville Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 3 Clemson, No. 22 Virginia vying for ACC championship

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2019 03:02 PM EST

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes the ball against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Clemson's Etienne, UNC's Howell earn ACC's individual awards

Dec. 04, 2019 11:58 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, right, cuts up field against Penn State defensive back Lamont Wade during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Championship weekend crowns the winner of 10 FBS conferences and matches up some big-time players. Wisconin and Ohio State will meet for the Big Ten Championship. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
All-America Watch: Championship weekend’s best matchups

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 03, 2019 04:30 PM EST