Clemson coach Dabo Swinney announced Sunday that star defensive lineman Bryan Bresee tore his ACL in the Tigers’ loss to NC State. Bresee, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in the ACC and a first-team all-conference performer last season, suffered the injury in the third quarter on Saturday after a productive beginning to his sophomore season.
The news is another blow to the Tigers amid a disappointing start to the 2021 season for the five-time defending ACC champions. Clemson is 2-2 and dropped to No. 25 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday following the 27-21 overtime loss on the road against the Wolfpack.
Swinney also said freshman running back Will Shipley did not tear his ACL and is likely to return in a few weeks after he left with an injury late in the NC State game. While getting Shipley back at some point this season will be a relief for the Tigers, the loss of Bresee constitutes a devastating blow for one of the nation’s strongest defenses.
Bresee was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2020 by the 247Sports Composite and wasted little time emerging as a disruptive force on the interior of the Clemson defensive line last season. Through four games in 2021, he recorded 13 tackles, including three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
