ESPN labels Clemson as a team that will ‘dominate’ in 2025

Clemson heads into the 2025 season as a consensus Top 10 team, with high expectations from analysts who see the Tigers as a legitimate contender. With a veteran quarterback, key returning talent, and a defense that could be among the nation’s best, Dabo Swinney’s squad is poised for a strong year.

ESPN’s Chris Low believes this could be Clemson’s best team since its last national championship in 2018. “Let’s start with Clemson. This should be Dabo Swinney’s best team since his last national title in 2018,” Low said. A big reason for that optimism is the return of Cade Klubnik for his fourth season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. He will once again work under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, and with his top receivers returning, the offense has the potential to be much more explosive.

On the defensive side, Clemson looks to recapture the dominance that helped the program win multiple national titles. “Remember when Clemson was winning and playing for national championships from 2015 to 2019? The common denominator was a cadre of talented defensive linemen,” Low noted. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who arrives from Penn State, inherits a talented group, led by T.J. Parker and Peter Woods. Parker had 19.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles last season, while Woods, a 315-pound force in the middle, could be poised for a breakout year.

Another key addition is Purdue transfer Will Heldt, who tallied 16 quarterback pressures last season. He joins a defensive front that also features rising talent like Stephiylan Green and veteran DeMonte Capehart, providing the Tigers with a formidable pass-rushing unit.

With a veteran quarterback, a talented defense, and a favorable schedule with many of their toughest games at home, Clemson is well-positioned to make a serious run in 2025….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-labels-clemson-team-dominate-153949585.html

Author : Clemson Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-13 15:39:00

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