The 2024 college football season witnessed the emergence of several programs that had struggled in recent years.
The Clemson Tigers, a perennial national title contender during the 2010s, had not appeared in the College Football Playoff since 2020. However, they secured a playoff spot last season by winning the ACC championship and receiving an automatic bid as one of the five highest-rated conference champions.
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Despite making the playoffs, Clemson’s run was short-lived, as the Tigers lost, 38-24, to the Texas Longhorns in the first round. While earning a playoff berth was a positive step forward, the Tigers still faced difficulties, finishing the season with four losses. This tied for the most losses in a single season since 2011, mirroring their performance in 2023.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with quarterback Cade Klubnik (2).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
David Pollack, on his podcast “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack,” shared that he believes Clemson has what it takes to win its first national championship since 2018 despite recent struggles.
“I see the same things in this roster as I saw with Dabo’s championship teams,” Pollack said. “The trio of wide receivers. The quarterback position being solidified. I don’t see an offensive line that is a bunch of hammers. That’s not who they were then, either. But they are going to survive elsewhere. The defensive line is going to have a couple of first-round picks.”
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The Tigers are ranked No. 1 in the nation for returning production. Clemson returns 86 percent of its offensive lineup and 81 percent of its overall production. A key returning player is quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 7,180 yards with 57 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in his career. He has also rushed for 784 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
The Tigers also bring back 75 percent of their defensive roster, which ranks No. 7 in college football. This includes standout players such as defensive tackle Peter Woods, EDGE rusher T.J. Parker, linebacker Sammy Brown and cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Clemson will have a test in 2025 right off the bat as it opens its season by hosting the LSU Tigers on Aug. 30.
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