We’re still months away from the 2025 college football season kicking off, but the talking heads? They’re already in mid-season form with their predictions. And you know Clemson’s name is always going to pop up. Dabo Swinney is heading into his 17th year as Tigers HC fresh off an ACC title last season, and he’s got a loaded roster coming back. With guys like Greg McElroy hyping them up on air, it feels like everyone’s expecting a big year from the Tigers.
Clemson’s offense flipped a switch in 2024 after three years of being hit or miss. They cracked the top 25 again in scoring (34.7 PPG, 18th nationally) and total offense (451.9 YPG, 11th in FBS) for the first time since 2020. Cade Klubnik was key, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 TDs—third-most in the nation. He led a talented crew including Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, and tight end Jake Briningstool. Antonio Williams really stepped up as a go-to guy in the passing game last season.
Now, Clemson’s aiming to reclaim their “Wide Receiver U” title from the 2010s. But the big question is: will Dabo Swinney’s WRs finally break that 1000-yard mark this season? A fan asked Greg McElroy on ESPN College Football, “I know it’s spring, but Clemson looks like they are back to having top-tier wide receivers—especially with transfer Tristan Smith having a huge game. The Tigers have not had a 1000-yard receiver since Amari Rogers in 2020. Is there hope for one this year?” And McElroy’s answer is a clear yes.
Greg says, “The question is fantastic, and we’ve already hit this just a little bit. I feel very optimistic about where Clemson’s going to be as far as their weapons are concerned….Antonio Williams cracks the top 10, but TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco are both sitting right there, poised to enter the top 10 with really strong campaigns. The other one, Tyler Brown, if he were healthy all the time, he’d be in the mix for a possible breakout candidacy as well.” With all these guys in the mix, Clemson’s definitely not hurting for receiving talent this season.
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney shown walking into the stadium prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
But what makes them top receivers in Greg’s list? Let’s break it down. First, Antonio Williams is coming into 2025 strong. Despite some injuries in ’23, he bounced back impressively, leading the team in catches (75), receiving yards (904), and receiving touchdowns (11). Healthy and with momentum, Williams is a top ACC receiver. Right behind him, freshmen Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore exploded onto the scene in 2024, becoming rising stars. They made history as the first freshman duo on a Power Five team to each get over 650 receiving yards and five or more TDs in a single season.
Plus, Wesco bulked up by 20 pounds in the offseason, going from 170 when he enrolled in January ’24. Moore, who joined in the summer, is now making the most of his first spring camp. Another player to watch is Tyler Brown, a gem Dabo Swinney handpicked, who’s looking to bounce back from an injury-filled 2024. Even though he only started twice and played in six games due to an ankle issue, Brown showed major potential, leading Clemson in catches and receiving yards in 2023. So, it’s not just about hitting that 1000-yard mark, but about the team’s overall performance.
And Greg McElroy agrees, saying, “So it’s not a matter of how good—it’s a matter of how many. And if you’re looking at a thousand-yard receiver, is that what you want as a Clemson fan, honestly? Because if I were Clemson, I’d rather have four receivers that were all 700-plus yards as opposed to one guy that has gone over 1,200, and he’s the one guy that the defense has to take away to slow down an offense that might be very difficult to defend. Like, I like having greatness across the board.” So, while Greg sees big potential for Clemson’s receiving corps to be strong as a unit, some analysts are predicting a tough playoff road for them.
Dabo Swinney’s team getting a massive playoff warning
Even with months to go before the championship game, 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello has dropped his early 2025 College Football Playoff predictions, and Clemson’s in. Marcello has them as the No. 3 seed, giving them a first-round bye and setting up a potential rematch in the quarterfinals.
Brandon Marcello’s 2025 College Football Playoff projections paint an exciting picture. Teams like Navy, Georgia, Miami, and LSU are slated to face top-eight seeds in the first round. The quarterfinals are shaping up to be heavy-hitting clashes like Notre Dame vs. Clemson and Alabama vs. Texas, with Oregon taking on top-seeded Ohio State. The semifinals could see a Big Ten rematch between Ohio State and Penn State, as well as a high-stakes game between Texas and Notre Dame.
Marcello’s predictions have No. 2 Texas facing No. 5 Penn State for the national title, leaving Clemson fans disappointed as the Tigers are projected to fall in the quarterfinals again.
Clemson is ranked behind only No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Texas and just ahead of No. 4 Utah in the top four teams getting an automatic ticket to the CFP quarterfinals. This puts Clemson against a familiar foe: Notre Dame. Marcello predicts the Tigers will face the Irish for the fifth time in six seasons, this time in the Orange Bowl. Despite Clemson holding a 5-3 all-time series lead, Marcello believes Notre Dame will step up and knock Clemson out of the quarterfinal round.
Clemson’s 2025 schedule might not be brutal, but it starts with a tough matchup against LSU and ends with a rivalry game against South Carolina. While Notre Dame could be a challenge, Clemson’s returning talent under Swinney gives them an advantage heading into the season.
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