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Ian Schieffelin, Gideon Davidson among 10 most intriguing Clemson football players in 2025 preseason
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- Ian Schieffelin, Gideon Davidson among 10 most intriguing Clemson football players in 2025 preseason
Clemson football returns the most production out of any FBS program in 2025, per ESPN, meaning the Tigers have a wealth of talent throughout their position groups.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik , wide receiver Antonio Williams , defensive tackle Peter Woods , edge rusher T.J. Parker and cornerback Avieon Terrell are among Clemson 's top returning players. All will be needed when the Tigers host LSU Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Memorial Stadium .
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But when preseason practice opens July 31, other players will be worth watching because of their storylines and opportunities for playing time. Here are 10 players that we're eager to watch in preseason and why.
Running back Gideon Davidson
Last season it was "Mo (Phil) Mafah, mo better" for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney . With the star running back gone and his replacement Jay Haynes still recovering from a torn ACL, the No. 1 spot is up for grabs.
Gideon Davidson , Clemson 's top skill-position signee in the 2025 class, can compete for the position or carve out meaningful snaps. Swinney called him the best running back in last year's cycle, but he has to earn it against experienced players.
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Wide receiver Tyler Brown
Tyler Brown, who attended Greenville High School, battled a nagging ankle injury that limited him to six games. His absence contributed to T.J. Moore becoming a starter ahead of him.
Brown, who led Clemson in receptions and receiving yards in 2023, is back healthy and looks to have a role behind presumptive starters Antonio Williams , Bryant Wesco Jr. and Moore. The Tigers have dealt with starting receiver injuries in the last two seasons, so Brown's skill and availability will be needed.
MORE: How former Clemson football QB Tajh Boyd matches Tigers' 2025 wide receivers to stars of his era
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Tight end Ian Schieffelin
Ian Schieffelin traded in his sneakers for cleats after spending four seasons with Clemson basketball. He will play football for the first time since 10th grade.
It is unknown how the 6-foot-7, 265-pounder will impact the Tigers' offense, but he gave up professional basketball opportunities to remain in college for another year. Seeing how a former All-ACC basketball player adjusts to playing football again will be fun to watch.
Running back Adam Randall
Swinney thinks Adam Randall will be the best story in college football after going from wide receiver to running back. He made his running back debut in the College Football Playoff vs. Texas , rushing for 44 yards on four carries.
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Randall started with the first team during Clemson's spring game and has worked on improving his pass protection. He is competing for the top spot, and his route running out of the backfield will be an asset. He also increased his weight from 230 pounds to 240, according to Klubnik.
Defensive end Will Heldt
Clemson was praised for its "heavy" use of the transfer portal, adding three players in the winter cycle . Former Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt was the Tigers' top addition. With the Boilermakers, he recorded five sacks last season and had 26 pressures via Pro Football Focus, which exceeded the total for every Clemson defensive lineman except Parker.
Heldt, who is 6-6, will be needed to shore up Clemson's edge as the Tigers were abysmal against the run, ranking 84th among FBS programs. How he performs this preseason opposite of Parker will be crucial for Clemson's success.
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Tight end Olsen Patt-Henry
Olsen Patt-Henry, the heir apparent to tight end Jake Briningstool , missed the spring with a shoulder injury. He is hoping to replace Bringinstool's production, which included 49 catches (second on the team) for 530 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024.
Patt-Henry recorded nine catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns in his limited offensive possessions but also displayed his ability to block. A strong preseason will be needed to solidify himself as No. 1 tight end.
Safety Ricardo Jones
With R.J. Mickens gone, Clemson has a safety vacancy that Ricardo Jones can take. He was one of seven freshmen last season who did not qualify for a redshirt after logging 20 tackles and one interception in 12 games.
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The former four-star recruit will likely battle Kylon Griffin and Ronan Hanafin for the starting safety position opposite of Khalil Barnes , who is versatile enough to play both safety positions and nickel cornerback.
COMPETITION: 5 position battles to watch as Clemson football, Dabo Swinney start preseason practice
Jones, a ball hawk safety, showed flashes in his inaugural season and has gotten stronger this offseason that he can parlay into a breakout sophomore season.
Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart
In an ideal world, DeMonte Capehart would be pursuing his NFL dream, but injuries limited him to 11 games and a reduced number of snaps. He is back for his sixth season after his NCAA waiver was granted to make up Clemson's talented starting defensive line.
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Capehart, who recorded 21 tackles and two pass deflections in his first season starting in 2024, was limited and missed Clemson's spring game. The Tigers have strong depth behind him and Woods, including Stephiylan Green and Vic Burley, but he can hold off those talented young players with a strong and healthy preseason.
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) reacts after tackling Georgia Bulldogs running back Branson Robinson (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerback Jeadyn Lukus
Jeadyn Lukus, who played at Mauldin, could have transferred after losing his starting job to Ashton Hampton last season. Yet, he opted to stay to finish his college career at Clemson.
The 6-2 cornerback played in every game last season for the first time in his career after injuries plagued the former five-star. A strong preseason could lead to him recapturing his starting role or will add experienced depth behind Terrell and Hampton.
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Punter Jack Smith
Swinney has confidence in his punters and didn't attempt to take one in the portal. He said fourth-year punter Jack Smith exited the spring as the leader. He only has five career punts but is battling walk-on Will McCune and kicker/kickoff specialist Robert Gunn III.
The Tigers could be in close games like they were in 2024 when Aidan Swanson helped get them out of field-position jams. How Smith competes is one of the most underrated storylines of the preseason.
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: Clemson football: Most intriguing Tigers in preseason for Dabo Swinney
