Where Clemson football landed in Athlon Sports' 2025 season ranking predicitons
Athlon Sports has released its projections for the 2025 college football season, and Clemson is firmly positioned among the nation's elite. The Tigers are ranked No. 5 in Athlon's end-of-season rankings prediction, highlighting their potential to make a serious run at a national championship this fall.
'The Tigers returned to the top of the ACC last season and are poised for a run at the national title in 2025,' wrote Athlon's Steven Lassan. 'Quarterback Cade Klubnik and one of the nation's top receiving corps are back, while the defense is loaded behind new coordinator Tom Allen.'
Clemson rounds out a Top 5 that includes Texas at No. 1, followed by Penn State, Ohio State, and Georgia. The Tigers are one of several programs in that top tier Athlon believes have a legitimate shot at finishing No. 1 by season's end. Just behind Clemson in the Top 10 are Notre Dame (6), LSU (7), Alabama (8), Oregon (9), and ACC foe Miami (10).
Of Clemson's 2025 opponents, LSU and South Carolina are projected to be the toughest tests, ranked No. 7 and No. 12 respectively. LSU returns quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and brings in a strong transfer class, while South Carolina hopes LaNorris Sellers can help cover up some question marks after a deep postseason push last year. SMU also cracked the Top 25 at No. 22, making them another key challenge on Clemson's schedule.
Several more of Clemson's FBS opponents were listed in the Top 60, including Louisville (26), Georgia Tech (34), Duke (41), Florida State (42), North Carolina (52), Boston College (56), Syracuse (57), and Troy (100). That makes for a competitive slate, even by ACC standards.
The ranking reinforces the growing optimism around Dabo Swinney's program heading into the fall. With a proven quarterback in Klubnik, an experienced offensive line, a reloaded defense under Tom Allen, and a receiver group that's being talked about as one of the best in the country, Clemson looks poised to build on last season's return to the top of the ACC.
With the start of the 2025 season now less than 70 days away, Clemson is once again entering the year with legitimate playoff aspirations and the talent to back them up.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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