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Clemson Tigers Need Much More From These 3 Players
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- Clemson Tigers Need Much More From These 3 Players
(USA TODAY Network)
The Clemson Tigers just had their bye week and are now sitting at 3-2 heading into an infinitely winnable Week 7 matchup against Charleston Southern.
What's more, Clemson does not play a single ranked opponent the rest of the way, so the Tigers have a real chance to do some damage.
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But in order for Clemson to finish with nine — or potentially even 10 — wins on the season, it will need more from a few players.
Here are three names in particular that must step up for the Tigers down the stretch.
T.J. Moore, WR
T.J. Moore looked like a potential first-round talent heading into 2026, but he has been a tremendous disappointment through five games.
Moore has logged 25 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown, averaging just 9.4 yards per reception. Yes, some of that has to do with Clemson's quarterback situation, as true freshman Tait Reynolds is learning on the job.
But what has happened to Moore's game-breaking ability ?
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Last year, the 6-foot-3 weapon hauled in 52 receptions for 837 yards and four scores, logging 16.1 yards per catch. He also posted 14.5 yards per grab during his freshman campaign.
Again, Moore's struggles are not solely self-inflicted. It's largely a symptom of the offense. But there's also no excuse for him not doing more after the catch.
Amare Adams, DT
The Clemson landed Amare Adams as a five-star commit back in late 2023, and he made his debut with the squad last season.
Adams barely played in 2025, as the Tigers' defensive tackle room was clogged with Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart and Stephiylan Green. However, none of those guys are present anymore, so Adams should be establishing himself as the alpha on the interior.
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Instead, Adams has not even separated himself from transfers Andy Burburija or Devarrick Woods, and he has managed just eight tackles through five games.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defender has the size and the athleticism to be a difference-maker, but we haven't seen it yet.
Perhaps a breakout game is coming from Adams, but as of right now, he is wasting a golden opportunity to cement his status as Clemson's top defensive tackle moving forward.
Chris Johnson Jr., RB
When Dabo Swinney bagged Chris Johnson Jr. in the transfer portal last winter, it was a pretty big deal.
Johnson was coming off of an impressive season at SMU in which he rushed for 479 yards and four touchdowns on 7.1 yards per carry, and he actually hurt the Tigers themselves last October when he toted the ball six times for 59 yards and a score while snaring four catches for 40 yards.
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The senior playmaker possesses tremendous burst in the open field and absolutely has the ability to explode for a big game. But Johnson has rushed for just 101 yards thus far, and Swinney doesn't even seem comfortable handing him the rock.
What's more, Johnson, who displayed clear potential as a receiver out of the backfield in 2025, has logged only two catches.
Perhaps Johnson just isn't a fit here, but he has been a bit more involved the last couple of weeks. Maybe Swinney is finally starting to trust him.
