Texans waive EDGE Xavier Thomas

A former top recruit in the 2018 class, Thomas (6’2/244) has been contributing to the Clemson defense longer than most. Through his four full college seasons, he was a consistent part of the pass rush rotation, earning 30 starts in his 61 career games. The IMG graduate accrued 3 sacks and 4 TFLs in 2023; modest production when compared with some his 2024 EDGE class peers. Despite the lack of eye popping stats, he has been consistent in posting between three to five sacks in each of his starting campaigns. While the stat sheet won’t tell you that he’s an NFL talent, his play on the field suggests otherwise. Thomas plays with a hot-running motor and above average get off, to go with active hands in pass rush. He’s at his best when swiping the punch of the tackle and beating him to the quarterback. Despite the burst he displays off the snap, he struggles to convert it to power like most successful Edges. The Florence, S.C. native put up an impressive 26 bench press reps (84th%) at the combine but is unable to materialize this into anything more than a mediocre bull rush.

Thomas (6'2"/270) announced on his Twitter on Saturday that he was coming back to Clemson to run it back. A talented and diverse player on the Clemson defensive line, Thomas accumulated 21 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. His return will help a Tigers defense that loses their longtime defensive coordinator in Brent Venables.

Head coach Dabo Swinney addressed Thomas’ (6'2/270) removal from the game, saying that the team didn’t allow Thomas to return to the field and wanted to be cautious with its junior EDGE rusher. The Tigers didn’t really need Thomas in this one, as the they won 44-7 over UConn, but they may need him next weekend against Wake Forest. On the year, Thomas has totaled 32 quarterback pressures and five sacks per Pro Football Focus.

Thomas (6'2/270), a key cog in the Tigers’ defensive line rotation, is no longer in uniform. The junior edge rusher has his upper right leg wrapped with an ice bag, and the question now is whether or not Thomas will have to miss time beyond Saturday. Clemson resumes ACC play next Saturday, when Wake Forest visits Death Valley.

Thomas (6'2/270) is a key contributor up front for the Tigers, so his absence will have an impact on DC Brent Venables’ unit. The junior edge rusher has appeared in seven games this season, accounting for 11 total tackles (4.0 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. Clemson doesn’t lack for depth up front, but Thomas is one of the defensive line’s more impactful playmakers.

Foster (6'2/265) has not played at all this season, and HC Dabo Swinney hasn’t offered up much in the way of detail when asked about the senior defensive end’s status. He remains out indefinitely, but the Tigers did receive a boost this past weekend as Xavier Thomas made his first appearance of the season. Swinney said on Tuesday that he hopes to get Thomas even more involved this weekend after he played sparingly in the Tigers’ home win over Miami.

Thomas (6'2/265) being available to play Saturday night doesn’t come as a surprise, as HC Dabo Swinney hinted at the possibility earlier this week. But the junior outside linebacker has gone through a lot to get back to the field, as he was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the spring and also developed a case of strep throat. Thomas has been able to regain most of the weight loss due to the illness, and he will now give the Tigers even more depth on the defensive line. And with the NCAA freezing the eligibility clock for fall athletes due to COVID-19, he can retain the season of eligibility.

Foster (6'2/265) did not play against Wake Forest, and he will miss a second straight game for what HC Dabo Swinney simply described as “protocol” reasons. He’ll have additional time to work his way back, as after Saturday’s game Clemson won’t play again until October 3 vs. Virginia. The Tigers are down their top two defensive ends, as Xavier Thomas will miss at least the first half of this season after battling COVID-19 and strep throat.

Thomas (6'2/265) came down with COVID-19 in the spring -- this according to HC Dabo Swinney, who was given permission to make the diagnosis public -- and subsequently came down with strep throat. Swinney relayed that Thomas had put on in the neighborhood of 10-15 pounds during quarantine and that he’s “nowhere near” where he needs to be as preseason practices start up. This past season, the former five-star recruit logged 27 tackles (8.0 for loss), 1.5 sacks and a pair of passes defensed. Clemson has the kind of reserve talent to make up for Thomas’ loss. Though we will note that he can still play in up to four games and maintain that redshirt.

Thomas (6'3/255) was considered to be a game-time decision for this past weekend’s home game against Boston College, but he was not cleared to play. The sophomore defensive end’s return would give Clemson yet another option up front, and Wofford would be a good opponent for the sophomore to shake off some of the rust that he may have accumulated by sitting out. HC Dabo Swinney said after the Tigers’ 59-7 win that Thomas will be ready to practice on Monday.