By Will Vandervort.

Ebenezer Ogundeko’s confession he participated in a Financial Transaction Card Fraud cost him his roster spot on Clemson’s football team on Tuesday. It likely cost the Tigers as well.

On Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney dismissed Ogundeko from the team “for a violation of team rules and behavior detrimental to our football team.”

Though Ogundeko was not a starter, he was expected to be a contributor at defensive end in the fall. He came out of the spring workouts listed No. 2 on the Tigers’ depth chart. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables bragged about how far Ogundeko had come along and how much he improved in practice.

His absence will likely be felt at some point in 2015, the question is, when? Defensive end was one of the few positions on Clemson’s roster this season that could not afford to lose anyone. The Tigers lost three defensive ends from the nation’s No. 1 ranked defensive last year, including first-round draft selection and two-time All-American Vic Beasley.

Shaq Lawson has stepped and has apparently taken over as the leader of this year’s group, while Kevin Dodd had an excellent spring and will start fall camp as the starter opposite Lawson in place of veteran starter Corey Crawford. After that, Ogundeko was expected to fall in line as a clear backup to Lawson at the rush end position.

But with Ogundeko’s dismissal, the Tigers are one short at the position and defensive ends coach Marion Hobby and Venables have to figure out a way to make things work with a group that lacks overall experience and in some cases size.

Martin Aiken (6-2, 225) has an opportunity to secure a two-deep spot, but the coaches are still concerned about his size and overall strength. Rising sophomore Dane Rogers (6-3, 260) is another option, but he lacks experience.

Redshirt freshman Richard Yeargin (6-4, 225) came on in the second half of the spring and could also see the field in certain situations.

“Richard Yeargin has really shown some things and is starting to play faster, stronger and is more sure of himself,” Venables said. “He is getting more comfortable. He still has to do some things and take another step, but I have been pleased with some things from him as well.”

Just before the end of spring practices, Chris Register asked to move from linebacker to defensive end so after a full summer of learning the position and then fall camp, he will have an opportunity to provide some depth. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Register has plenty of room to grow physically and become a good rush end or potentially a strongside end.

“I think that is a position that will fit his skills well. When he learns all of the little things like where to put his eyes and how to get in the stance, he will get better,” Venables said. “He is a worker, he cares and he wants to play. He can tackle and he can run.

“He is intelligent. He will come along and he will make a big jump here during the course of summer and fall camp.”

At the end of the spring, it seemed as if Venables was content at keeping freshman Albert Huggins (6-3, 280) inside at defensive tackle to help with depth there, but now the Orangeburg native is likely to move back outside, which is where he started the spring.

“Albert Huggins has gotten out there and has done a few good things for a young guy,” Venables said. “He is learning the speed of the game and is learning his responsibilities and technique.”

Bamberg-Ehrhardt product LaSamuel Davis (6-4, 215) could come in and help with depth, but he is more than likely to redshirt since he is not reporting to school until later this summer and he has to gain weight and strength to his tall frame.