TEAM SPOTLIGHT CLEMSON TIGERS

 Clemson returns most of its offense this year from a team that averaged 29.8 ppg. QB Cade Klubinik was the #1 QB in the 2022 class and came off his first year as a starter. He got better as the season went along and the team suffered a lot of injuries at the wide receiver position. They lost Will Shipley, but Phil Mafah was the team's leading rusher (964 rush yards) most of which came in the final six games. Wide receiver Antonio Williams, the leading receiver as a freshman in 2022 was banged up most of last year. Freshman Tyler Brown led the team in receiving last year and they brought in two highly regarded freshmen Bryant Wasco and TJ Moore. Tight end Jake Briningstool is an excellent receiving tight end and could be in for an All-American season. The offensive line could be the best they have had in a couple of years. I like the tackles and think both Tristan Leigh and Blake Miller. Marcus Tate can play about anywhere on the offensive line and Walker Parks returns from injury and can do the same.  

Clemson has set a high standard on the defensive side of the football leading the ACC with 279 yards per game good for 7th in the country. They lose some key pieces on the defensive line but as usual, they have talent in the waiting. Last year’s freshmen Peter Woods and TJ Parker made a big impact with Parker leading the team in sacks and Woods was an excellent run defender. Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart looked good in limited snaps and if he stays healthy should earn all-conference honors.  The linebacking core lost Jeremiah Trotter but will have one of the best prospects in Barrett Carter who should be in store for a bounce-back year. Wade Woodaz had 5 starts a season ago and is in store for a big year. He is a versatile player you can put at different spots. Khalil Barnes was 3rd team acc as a freshman in the safety/linebacker spot a season ago with 3 interceptions. Dabo is not afraid to play freshman and they landed a five-star linebacker in Sammy Brown. At corner, they lost Nate Wiggins but Avieon Terrell had a strong freshman season. Jeadyn Lukes is a promising player who had four starts a season ago he will battle it out with last year's freshman Shelton Lewis who had 2 starts as a true freshman. Senior RJ Mickens is an underrated safety coming off his best season. Kylon Griffin got some action last year as a freshman and picked off two passes. Sherrod Covil and Tyler Venables are both players that should get action at free safety. 

 The last time Clemson did not have double-digit wins was back in 2010 Dabo’s 2ndyear. They have some tough conference games at home in Louisville and NC State. They lost to NC State a year ago on the road. They also have Florida State on the road who they lost to at home in 2023. They got off to a slow start, but I felt the offense started clicking down the stretch winning five in a row and I think they carry that momentum into this season. I think Dabo is as good of a recruiter and developer of talent as any coach out there. They are an underrated team I expect to win the ACC and get back to double-digit wins.