Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers head into the 2025 season with huge expectations, as they do every season.
Things have changed over the past half decade with the transfer portal and NIL taking the forefront of college sports, but the expectations for the Tigers are something that haven’t changed, at least from fans. It’s been an up and down past few seasons and Clemson is trending in the right direction. Heading into 2025, this could be the best Clemson team we’ve seen in sometime.
While a lot of this has to do with having one of the best coaches in football, Dabo Swinney, the Tigers roster boasts a tremendous amount of talent. On both sides of the ball, some players are vying for the top player at their position on this Clemson team. 247Sports recently released their rankings for college football’s Top 10 players heading into the season, with two Tigers making the cut.
Cade Klubnik – Quarterback
Rank: No. 4
What they had to say: Projected to be one of college football’s most productive passers in 2025, Cade Klubnik is on the brink of a record-setting season as a third-year starter at Clemson. Klubnik was superb during his second go-around with Garrett Riley calling the plays in 2024, throwing 17 more touchdown passes than he did the previous campaign thanks to improvements made as a passer. He’s comfortable in clutch situations and Clemson has the deepest wide receiver room in the ACC, which will undoubtedly help.
What I have to say: Klubnik is rightfully the highest ranked quarterback on this list and I’m fine with him landing at No. 4. You could easily make the case for one, but there are multiple names on this list that you can do that for. Jeremiah Smith No. 1 is a fine choice considering what he did last season.
Rank: No. 9
What they had to say: The first of three teams with multiple selections, Clemson is loaded on both side of the football ahead of the 2025 season. T.J. Parker should be the preseason favorite to win ACC Defensive Player of the Year given his prowess off the edge for the Tigers. A former four-star recruit from Alabama, Parker set a new program record with six forced fumbles last fall and enters his junior season with 105 tackles (32 for loss), 16.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups in 1,085 snaps over 27 career games.
What I have to say: I would have Parker up a few spots, as I believe he’s the better talent when comparing him and South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart. Making the Top 10 is still awesome for a guy like Parker though, who’s impact could fly under the radar.
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