As the 2025 College Football Season approaches, Dabo Swinney and Clemson are aiming to return to national prominence. Many are looking towards Texas and Arch Manning to be the favorites, even NFL legends, but the Tigers really present a tough opponent. Under the leadership of a National Champion head coach, Clemson boasts one of the most talented rosters in the ACC and the whole CFB landscape.
The team is led by their trio of NFL prospects: quarterback Cade Klubnik, defensive end T.J. Parker, and defensive tackle Peter Woods. The three were even included in the top-6 of a recent ESPN mock draft, projecting the elite potential the team has towards this season. With a stacked defense and a maturing offense, Clemson surely looks like a team that will be in the CFP conversation.
Clemson needs Cade Klubnik to deliver
Every Clemson fan knows who will be in the spotlight this season: third-year starter and projected early-round draft pick Cade Klubnik. After a transitory 2024 campaign, expectations for Klubnik have risen and with new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s system coming into play, a significant leap is what everyone wants to see. The Tigers’ quarterback has a quick realease, mobility, and nice football IQ, now what NFL scouts would like to see this season is consistency.
Klubnik had moments and flashes of brilliance in 2024, including several clutch performances like the ones against Pitt in regular season, against SMU in the ACC Champion ship, and against Texas in the CFP first round, even though the last one didn’t end up in a win. If he can show an improvement in decision-making and accuracy on deep throws, he has the tools to become one of the top quarerbacks in next year’s draft. Clemson’s success relies on Kubnik becoming the player he was recruited to be.
Clemson welcomes the emergence of T.J. Parker
On the defensive side of the ball, T.J. Parker has become one of the top edge rushers in the country. After a breakout sophomore season in which he recorded 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, Parker is on every NFL scout radar towards 2025. Explosiveness off the line, notable hand technique and a relentless motor are skills that have helped him be labeled as a nightmare for quarerbacks.
The Alabama native has the ability to take over games and that will be really important for Clemson to have shot at becoming National Champions. If Parker continues with this uprise, he surely will be a finalist to multiple national defensive awards and perhaps a top-10 pick in next years draft.
Peter Woods, the heart of Clemson’s defense
Yes, Parker terrorizes off the edge, but, in part, his success results from Woods controlling the interior with his power. A former five-star recruit, the defensive tackle has become one of the nation’s most dominant at his position. Woods finished the 2024 season with 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, impressive numbers for a player facing double-teams on nearly every snap.
The Clemson defender stands out with brute strength and suprising agility, often collapsing the pocket and disrupting run plays at the point of attack. A great individual season will go a long way for the Tigers, but also may lock Woods to be a top-10 pick in next years draft.
Read the full article here
