ESPN analyst Greg McElroy breaks down why he has Clemson ranked No. 1 2025 preseason

USA Today

20 hours ago

ESPN's Greg McElroy isn't just high on Clemson heading into the 2025 season—he's placing the Tigers at the top.
The former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst revealed on his podcast Thursday that he has Dabo Swinney's squad ranked No. 1 in his preseason top 25, citing a strong passing attack, an elite defensive line, and a veteran quarterback in Cade Klubnik as the primary reasons.
"I think Cade Klubnik is the best returning quarterback in America," McElroy said. "He's got tons of experience going into his senior year. He's started now—this will be his third year. Was widely considered somewhat disappointing two years ago, but the way he performed last year was amazing. He showed great development."
McElroy also pointed to Klubnik's evolution as a dual-threat quarterback, noting that he rushed for over 450 yards last season and flashed his athleticism in key moments. He believes another year working with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will only elevate Klubnik's ability to operate in high-pressure situations, particularly late in games.
While Klubnik leads the way, McElroy sees Clemson's wide receiver group as the best it's been in years. He praised Antonio Williams as one of the top wideouts in the country and highlighted the explosive potential of sophomore duo Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore.
"This group is extremely explosive and extremely well-rounded," McElroy said. "You've got unbelievable speed, size, and matchup problems across the board."
But perhaps his highest praise was reserved for the defensive line, which he said might be the team's strongest unit.
"T.J. Parker is an absolute star," McElroy said. "Led all Power 4 defenders in sacks last year and is incredibly disruptive. And Peter Woods moving back inside to his natural position makes a huge difference."
He also noted the additions of transfer Will Heldt from Purdue and freshman Amare Adams, along with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, as key pieces that could push the unit to even greater heights in 2025.
If there's one area of concern for McElroy, it's Clemson's running back room. With Phil Mafah off to the NFL, the Tigers now turn to a group full of talent but short on proven production.
"They've got plenty of guys," McElroy said. "But it's just unproven. They haven't had the kind of workload that's expected here in 2025 as a featured back."
Clemson tops McElroy's preseason top 10, followed by Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas, and Alabama. The Tigers open their season on August 30 against LSU, who checks in at No. 7 in his rankings.
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