Ten Clemson Tigers Poised to Make Noise in Preseason Camp as Dabo Swinney Begins Another Run at ACC Glory
As Clemson football gears up for the 2025 season, there’s a sense of both continuity and curiosity surrounding the program. Head coach Dabo Swinney returns with his usual championship expectations, but the Tigers also enter fall camp with pressing questions, fresh faces, and position battles that could define their path this year. Preseason practice opened on July 31, and as the pads go on and the competition ramps up, several players—veterans, breakout candidates, and promising newcomers—will be closely watched.
Here are ten Clemson Tigers generating the most intrigue as the team begins its journey toward what it hopes will be another ACC title and a return to the College Football Playoff.
First on that list is quarterback Cade Klubnik, whose development is critical to Clemson’s offensive resurgence. Entering his second full season as the starter, Klubnik is under the microscope. Last season was uneven, with flashes of brilliance tempered by stretches of inconsistency, especially in the red zone and under pressure. With Garrett Riley now fully entrenched as offensive coordinator, expectations are high for a more streamlined and explosive scheme. For Klubnik, fall camp is less about winning the job—he’s the clear QB1—and more about commanding it. Coaches will be watching his decision-making, poise in situational drills, and chemistry with a new-look receiving corps.
Speaking of receivers, Noble Johnson has become a name to watch. After arriving last year with significant hype, he played sparingly but turned heads with his athleticism and work ethic. With Antonio Williams recovering from offseason surgery and Beaux Collins having transferred, Johnson has a real chance to break into the rotation. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he brings size and physicality that could complement Clemson’s speedier options. If he continues to build trust with Klubnik and show improvement in route-running and blocking, Johnson could be one of the offense’s biggest risers during camp.
On the defensive side, linebacker Barrett Carter is a known commodity, but all eyes will still be on him this August. A likely first-round NFL Draft pick, Carter returns for his senior season with unfinished business. His sideline-to-sideline range, leadership, and versatility are the bedrock of Clemson’s defense. The coaching staff is expected to expand his role even further, possibly using him in more hybrid coverages and blitz packages. His voice and example in practice will also be crucial as younger defenders look to him for guidance. While his place in the lineup is secure, how he elevates those around him may be just as important.
Another defensive standout worth watching is Peter Woods, who had a dominant true freshman campaign and now steps into a larger role on the defensive line. At 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, Woods combines raw strength with elite hand usage. He’ll be counted on to disrupt the interior in both run defense and pass rush situations. Coaches are particularly eager to see how he handles double teams and whether he can command the kind of attention that frees up edge rushers. His growth will directly impact how dynamic the Tigers can be up front.
At cornerback, Jeadyn Lukus represents both a storyline of opportunity and pressure. With Nate Wiggins now off to the NFL, Lukus is being counted on to step into a starting role. Highly recruited out of high school, he’s shown flashes in limited action but has yet to put together a full season of high-level play. Fall camp will be critical for Lukus in terms of technique, confidence, and consistency. In a conference full of elite wide receivers, Clemson needs him to emerge as a lockdown presence on the perimeter.
Troy Stellato is another player on the offensive side who has a chance to reshape perceptions. Injuries have plagued his time at Clemson thus far, but a healthy offseason and strong showing in summer workouts have brought him back into the spotlight. Stellato brings quickness and reliable hands, and his ability to operate in the slot could make him a valuable target in Riley’s scheme. He’s competing for playing time in a deep but largely unproven receiver room, so every rep in camp will be critical.
Freshman linebacker Sammy Brown may be new to the program, but expectations are sky-high. A five-star recruit with a wrestling background and elite athleticism, Brown has already drawn comparisons to some of Clemson’s best defenders of the past decade. While he’s still learning the nuances of the position at the college level, his physicality and motor are undeniable. Don’t be surprised if he pushes for rotational snaps early—and fall camp will be his first real test against top-tier competition. Coaches are eager to see how quickly he processes information and adjusts to the speed of the game.
On the offensive line, Tristan Leigh is entering a critical juncture in his career. Once one of the top offensive tackle recruits in the country, Leigh has had moments but has yet to fully seize a starting job. Now, with some vacancies and injuries creating opportunity, this preseason could be his moment. The Tigers need more consistency in pass protection and more physicality in the run game, and Leigh’s performance in camp will go a long way toward determining how the offensive line shapes up. Coaches will be evaluating his footwork, pad level, and mental toughness against a strong Clemson defensive front.
Tight end Josh Sapp may not have the hype of some others, but his rise has been steady. The redshirt sophomore has quietly become one of the more reliable blockers and route-runners in the position group. With Jake Briningstool being used more as a vertical threat, Sapp could carve out a complementary role as a traditional in-line tight end. He’s drawn praise from strength coaches for his work in the weight room, and this preseason could be his springboard into a more prominent role, especially in short-yardage and red-zone packages.
Finally, there’s the wild card: Bryant Wesco. The freshman wide receiver has already made noise in summer workouts and seven-on-seven drills. A smooth route-runner with elite speed and body control, Wesco may be too talented to keep off the field, even in a crowded receiver group. Swinney has a history of giving young playmakers a chance if they show maturity and grasp the playbook, and Wesco appears to be checking both boxes early. How he handles the physicality of college practices and adjusts to full-team reps will be telling, but the talent is unmistakable.
Clemson enters the 2025 season with an unusual blend of pressure and opportunity. After missing out on the College Football Playoff for several years, the Tigers are hungry to reestablish themselves among the sport’s elite. Fall camp will set the tone—not just in terms of position battles, but also in establishing leadership, building chemistry, and identifying who is ready to contribute now versus later.
This year’s group feels particularly volatile in the best way: there’s no shortage of raw ability, but much of the depth chart is unproven. Swinney and his staff will be using every day of preseason to sort through that uncertainty, hoping that by the time the Tigers take the field for their opener, the right pieces will be in place.
With names like Klubnik, Carter, and Woods leading the way, and young talent like Brown and Wesco emerging, Clemson’s camp is loaded with compelling storylines. Each practice rep carries weight, each scrimmage is a chance to separate, and each day brings the Tigers closer to answering the biggest question of all: is this the team that brings Clemson football back to the national stage?
Time will tell, but one thing is certain—there’s no shortage of talent or intrigue as fall camp begins in Death Valley.
