Clemson is one of the largest college football hype trains moving into 2025, according to experts.

As the 2025 college football season approaches, few programs are generating as much buzz as the Clemson Tigers. After a few seasons of relative inconsistency by their lofty standards, Clemson appears poised for a resurgence, with experts labeling them as one of the biggest hype trains in the sport. A combination of elite recruiting, key returning players, and strategic coaching adjustments has positioned the Tigers as a potential playoff contender. But is the hype justified? Let’s break down why Clemson is drawing so much attention and whether they can live up to the lofty expectations.

## **The Return of Championship Pedigree**

Clemson’s dominance from 2015 to 2020 was nothing short of historic. Under Dabo Swinney, the Tigers won two national championships (2016, 2018) and made six consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. However, since Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne departed for the NFL, Clemson has struggled to reclaim its spot among the sport’s elite. The Tigers have still been good—winning 10 games in each of the past three seasons—but they haven’t been *great* by their own standards.

2025 feels different. The program has reloaded with elite talent, and Swinney has made subtle but critical adjustments to modernize his approach. The Tigers are no longer relying solely on developmental prospects; they’re aggressively pursuing—and landing—blue-chip recruits while also leveraging the transfer portal more effectively than in previous years.

The success of any elite college football team starts at quarterback, and Clemson believes they have their next superstar in Cade Klubnik. The former five-star recruit showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 but also struggled with consistency. Now entering his third year as the starter, Klubnik has the experience, weapons, and offensive system to make a Heisman-level leap.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (Lincoln Riley’s brother) has had a full offseason to tailor the offense to Klubnik’s strengths. If the young QB can cut down on turnovers and improve his deep-ball accuracy, Clemson’s offense could be one of the most explosive in the country.

Clemson’s receiving corps was a major weakness in 2023, but that’s no longer the case. The Tigers added Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart, one of the best wideouts in the nation, to pair with rising star TJ Moore. Tight end Jake Briningstool is also a mismatch nightmare, giving Klubnik a reliable safety valve.

In the backfield, Phil Mafah returns as one of the most physical runners in the ACC, while five-star freshman Gideon Davidson could provide a home-run threat. This is the most complete offensive skill group Clemson has had since the Lawrence-Etienne era.

Clemson’s defense has remained strong even during their “down” years, but 2025 could see a return to the suffocating dominance of the Venables era. The defensive line is stacked with future NFL talent, including Peter Woods, TJ Parker, and Caden Story. The linebacker corps, led by Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz, is fast, physical, and versatile.

The secondary, which was a question mark in 2024, has been bolstered by transfers and young talent. If this group gels early, they could be a top-five defense nationally.

One reason for Clemson’s hype is their manageable schedule. While they still face tough opponents, the path to an undefeated season is clearer than for other contenders.

Dabo Swinney was famously resistant to using the transfer portal, preferring to build through high school recruiting and player development. However, after missing the playoff three straight years, he’s adjusted his approach. The addition of Evan Stewart and other key transfers shows that Swinney is willing to adapt to the new era of college football.

Additionally, Swinney’s leadership and culture remain elite. Few coaches can motivate players like he can, and with so much young talent on the roster, his ability to develop players will be crucial.

Clemson isn’t just a trendy dark horse—they’re a legitimate national championship contender in 2025. The roster is loaded, the coaching is elite, and the schedule sets up nicely. If Klubnik plays to his potential and the defense lives up to expectations, the Tigers could be holding the trophy at the end of the season.

The hype train is real, and it’s barreling full speed toward what could be Clemson’s return to college football’s mountaintop.

inconsistency by their lofty standards, Clemson appears poised for a resurgence, with experts labeling them as one of the biggest hype trains in the sport. A combination of elite recruiting, key returning players, and strategic coaching adjustments has positioned the Tigers as a potential playoff contender. But is the hype justified? Let’s break down why Clemson is drawing so much attention and whether they can live up to the lofty expectations.

Clemson’s dominance from 2015 to 2020 was nothing short of historic. Under Dabo Swinney, the Tigers won two national championships (2016, 2018) and made six consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. However, since Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne departed for the NFL, Clemson has struggled to reclaim its spot among the sport’s elite. The Tigers have still been good—winning 10 games in each of the past three seasons—but they haven’t been *great* by their own standards.

2025 feels different. The program has reloaded with elite talent, and Swinney has made subtle but critical adjustments to modernize his approach. The Tigers are no longer relying solely on developmental prospects; they’re aggressively pursuing—and landing—blue-chip recruits while also leveraging the transfer portal more effectively than in previous years.

The success of any elite college football team starts at quarterback, and Clemson believes they have their next superstar in Cade Klubnik. The former five-star recruit showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 but also struggled with consistency. Now entering his third year as the starter, Klubnik has the experience, weapons, and offensive system to make a Heisman-level leap.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (Lincoln Riley’s brother) has had a full offseason to tailor the offense to Klubnik’s strengths. If the young QB can cut down on turnovers and improve his deep-ball accuracy, Clemson’s offense could be one of the most explosive in the country.

Clemson’s receiving corps was a major weakness in 2023, but that’s no longer the case. The Tigers added Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart, one of the best wideouts in the nation, to pair with rising star TJ Moore. Tight end Jake Briningstool is also a mismatch nightmare, giving Klubnik a reliable safety valve.

In the backfield, Phil Mafah returns as one of the most physical runners in the ACC, while five-star freshman Gideon Davidson could provide a home-run threat. This is the most complete offensive skill group Clemson has had since the Lawrence-Etienne era.

Clemson’s defense has remained strong even during their “down” years, but 2025 could see a return to the suffocating dominance of the Venables era. The defensive line is stacked with future NFL talent, including Peter Woods, TJ Parker, and Caden Story. The linebacker corps, led by Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz, is fast, physical, and versatile.

The secondary, which was a question mark in 2024, has been bolstered by transfers and young talent. If this group gels early, they could be a top-five defense nationally.

One reason for Clemson’s hype is their manageable schedule. While they still face tough opponents, the path to an undefeated season is clearer than for other contenders.

Dabo Swinney was famously resistant to using the transfer portal, preferring to build through high school recruiting and player development. However, after missing the playoff three straight years, he’s adjusted his approach. The addition of Evan Stewart and other key transfers shows that Swinney is willing to adapt to the new era of college football.

Additionally, Swinney’s leadership and culture remain elite. Few coaches can motivate players like he can, and with so much young talent on the roster, his ability to develop players will be crucial.