College Football

CFB Top 50, #9: 2025 Clemson Tigers

by
Bracket Yard
August 14, 2025

The 2025 Clemson Tigers know we are just nine days away from college football, which is why they’re next on the CFB Top 50 countdown.

It feels like Dabo Swinney has been on these sidelines forever. He’s had his major successes (two national titles) and relative disappointments (that one losing season he had 15 years ago). Yet, it’s been way more good than bad, and the Tigers are on the upswing again. Clemson enters 2025 as the defending ACC champions, a title they have won nine times while he has led them in gridiron battle. It is entirely possible that the 2025 season will make it an even ten.

2025 Clemson Tigers Basic Facts

Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (18th season)

2025 Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

2024 Record: 10-4 (7-1), ACC champions

Final Resolution of Last Season: Lost in College Football Playoff first round, ranked 14th (AP)

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: 18th (34.7)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: T-49th (23.4)

Clemson Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Will Heldt, defensive end. Transferred from Purdue.

IN – Amare Adams, defensive lineman. Five-star (national #7) recruit from South Carolina.

OUT – Barrett Carter, linebacker. Drafted by Cincinnati in 4th round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – RJ Mickens, safety. Drafted by LA Chargers in 6th round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – Phil Mafah, running back. Drafted by Dallas in 7th round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – Jake Briningstool, tight end. Signed by Kansas City as an undrafted free agent.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

November 29 at South Carolina. As you already know, this is the best game for the Gamecocks as well, and why not? In fact, this will probably be one of the better games of that entire weekend unless at least one of these teams is unexpectedly lousy.

2025 Clemson Tigers: Outlook

There is not much to say about Clemson that discredits them or downplays their chances. They have one of the most experienced FBS returning squads this season, led by senior quarterback Cade Klubnik. He is the kind of guy that people will talk about as a top-ten draft pick early next year, so long as this season goes well. Klubnik’s 2024 stats were eye-popping: 36 touchdown passes, over 3,600 yards, and seven more rushing touchdowns. Clemson was an offensive machine last season, and he is a big part of the reason why. Last year’s starting running back, Phil Mafah, was drafted, but I get the sense that Clemson could put anyone competent behind that offensive line and get production out of him.

One thing last year that was great about Clemson’s defense, which returns a lot of guys this season, is that they were especially good at controlling the starts of halves. Clemson outscored opponents 149 to 34 in the first quarter last year, and 117 to 54 in the third quarter. In the first, that’s about 2.5 points allowed per game, and in the third, that’s just under four. Clemson is going to be very successful if they can set the tone like that again.

Clemson opens up with a banger against LSU before they navigate their ACC schedule. Clemson will probably be favored in every single ACC game they play this season, unless their year has taken an unexpected nosedive. Their toughest conference game is SMU, and that’s at home. There are other solid teams in this conference, like Miami and the aforementioned SMU, but Clemson is thinking playoffs or bust.