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Where Clemson football is ranked in early 2025 rankings in Dabo Swinney's 17th season
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- Where Clemson football is ranked in early 2025 rankings in Dabo Swinney's 17th season
Clemson football eyes a stronger finish in the CFP next season with a loaded roster returning.
The Tigers snapped their three-season absence from the College Football Playoff last season after they won the ACC championship to earn an automatic bid. Their time in the playoffs was short-lived though after Texas eliminated them in the first round.
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Clemson is heading into coach Dabo Swinne y's 17th season with the 2025 season being his best chance to vie for a national championship since 2020. The Tigers return all of their end-of-year starters who have eligibility remaining, including quarterback Cade Klubnik and wide receiver Antonio Williams . It also hired former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen to be its new defensive coordinator after its defense regressed last season.
Clemson opens the 2025 season against LSU at home on Aug. 30.
Here is where the Tigers are ranked in the early rankings:
USA TODAY: No. 7
"The defending ACC champions will be expected to repeat in 2025 and go even deeper into the playoff," Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith wrote . "The offense will be led by veteran quarterback Cade Klubnik and an up-and-coming receiver corps. But RB is a question mark after projected starter Jay Haynes tore his ACL in the ACC title game. Defensively, look for Clemson to rebound under new coordinator Tom Allen after falling to ninth in the ACC in yards allowed per play this past season. The pieces are in place for a run at the national title."
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ESPN: No. 7
"Maybe Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is doing it the right way, and we were all wrong," Mark Schlabach wrote . "Swinney caught plenty of flak for not utilizing the transfer portal after his team's ugly 34-3 loss to Georgia in the opener. However, the Tigers rebounded to win another ACC title and reach the CFP. They'll undoubtedly be the team to beat in the league in 2025, with Klubnik, Williams, Woodaz, Parker, Woods and Miller all electing to return for another season. With Williams, Wesco and T.J. Moore coming back, Clemson's passing game might be even better. Finding a No. 1 tailback, after Mafah's eligibility ended and Jay Haynes tore his ACL in the ACC championship game, will be a priority in the spring. The defense will have a new leader after Swinney fired coordinator Wes Goodwin and replaced him with Penn State's Tom Allen. And guess what? Clemson signed three players from the portal: edge rushers Jeremiah Alexander ( Alabama ) and Will Heldt ( Purdue ) and receiver Tristan Smith (Southeast Missouri State)."
On3: No. 10
"Clemson's season was solid given it ended with a trip to the ACC Championship Game, but the Tigers haven't been what we became accustomed to expecting from Dabo Swinney," Ari Wasserman wrote . "That could be changing. The Tigers bring back quarterback Cade Klubnik, defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. and linebacker Sammy Brown . Oh, and Swinney is using the portal now? Clemson may be on its way back."
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MORE: Where Clemson, Dabo Swinney is ranked in final college football polls
Sporting News: No. 7
"Dabo Swinney used the transfer portal this offseason, and he picked up Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander and Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt . The world really has changed, right?" Bill Bender wrote . "Quarterback Cade Klubnik is back along with leading receiver Antonio Williams , and defensive lineman TJ Parker had 20 tackles for loss in 2023. Linebackers Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz are back, too. The Tigers also hired Tom Allen away from Penn State as the new defensive coordinator. This will be the preseason pick to repeat as ACC champions, and that means a playoff berth."
CBS Sports: No. 8
"The culture is in Dabo Swinney's locker room! Remember that old my-way-or-transfer-highway assertion? Dabo finally broke down and imported three players from the portal," Dennis Dodd wrote . "It should be fun watching Miami and Clemson battle for the ACC. Cade Klubnik will be a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate as he returns after throwing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns in an ACC title-winning season. The wide receivers room is loaded. However, the rush defense was near the bottom of the conference. Nevertheless, pencil in Clemson for a playoff berth."
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Where Clemson football is picked in early 2025 rankings
