NEW ORLEANS — No moment over the course of this season better defined Clemson’s charismatic and dominant defensive front-four than during a brief delay in play against Georgia Tech in late October.

The Tigers danced in unison to the song “Swag Surfin,” an appropriate musical choice during a game played in a torrential downpour, as Tech prepared to begin forming at the line of scrimmage. Not only were Tigers once again completely snuffing Tech’s triple-option, they were doing it with such joy and passion that it’s difficult to imagine anything being more intimidating to an opposing offense.

That on-field chemistry translates outside the game as well. Four talented players with personalities as big as their massive bodies have found a common meeting ground where egos, publicity, and stature don’t matter and it’s all about production and winning.

Monday’s Sugar Bowl semifinal playoff with fourth-ranked Alabama and a possible third-straight national championship appearance doesn’t have to be the final encore for one of the best defensive fronts in the country and in school history. But it’s easy to think Clemson would be content in getting just one of three NFL draft-eligible stars back for next year with the trio projected to likely all be selected within the first couple of rounds.

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, already being bandied about in national conversation as the possible top pick next year, is required to return for his junior year. Beyond that, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant can go pro. Wilkins has already earned his degree and is expected to be the first of the trio drafted. Ferrell or Bryant would have to turn down a big payday to return to earn their diploma, the chance at another ring, or to improve their draft stock.

No matter their decisions, they’ll leave behind an indelible legacy with their playing achievements as well as the manner in which they went about their business.

“This has been a group that has been easy to coach because of their humility,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “They're just a very grounded group of young men that all come from good mamas. And I say that sincerely. That's why they are who they are and they’ve remained humble. There will be no entitlement in this program and they kind of lead the way.”

Clemson boasts the second-leading scoring defense in the nation, allowing 12.8 points per game, and rank sixth in yards allowed at 277.9 per game. The Tigers rate among the top-13 both in defending the run and pass, and are top-10 in sacks, tackles for loss, and third-down conversion percentage.

Of course the unit is strong from front to back, but the unquestioned tone-setters are the big foursome up front, both due to their physical performance and as the heart and soul of the team.

“It's a group that's probably got our best collection as a position, our best collection of leaders,” Venables said. “They set the tempo in regards to our work ethic, our attitude. They bring a lot of energy. They like to practice. They like the weight room. They like it all. It's not a group of guys that you've got to pull any teeth to get ready to prepare and work. Our guys like to play the game and you want them to get off the bus first.”

It’s a gregarious group with Ferrell and Wilkins among the team’s most polished and eloquent spokesmen along with a terrific sense of humor, with the sharp and good-natured Bryant and Lawrence also among media favorites in the interview room.

Lawrence describes the secret to their success as “just the personalities. They're all different. I don't know, we kind of just clicked with each other. It's all genuine and just like family. They're just bringing you in. When I was getting recruited, that's what I wanted and that's what I saw. So there wasn't any fakeness. It’s just everybody trying to compete with each other. We know we want to make the program the best it can be, and we're not going to get there being selfish.”

Ferrell said, “People ask me all the time, what's the main thing that makes your defensive line so good this year? And it's just the brotherhood we have, the love that we have for one another. When you want for somebody else what you want for yourself, that's going to cause you to push that person even further. And that's going to cause you to play harder for that person because you understand that it's not just about you. It's about a collective group wanting to have success for themselves.”