Todd McShay claims Clemson's 2025 roster is Dabo Swinney's best since 2018

Clemson has a chance to do something special this season, and Todd McShay knows it. On Monday’s episode of The Todd McShay Show, the former ESPN analyst raved about Clemson’s 2025 roster.

“This is definitely the best roster that Dabo [Swinney] has had since [2018],” McShay said. “Some of us, old dogs are like, ‘Didn’t know if he could do it, but good on him. He’s doing it his way.’ Because there are a lot of people — more than there are supporters — more people out there are like, ‘Clemson’s done. Dabo is done. Not adjusting to the times, not adapting. Can’t win like that. Game has changed.’

“Saban said goodbye. Urban’s all set. Harbaugh’s in the NFL. Guys are like fleeing from this madness and nonsense. He’s swimming way upstream… All of a sudden, he got out in the clear, calm water. And he’s like, ‘Told you I could get here. Here I am.'”

If Clemson is as good this season as it was in 2018, Tigers fans are in for a fun year. Clemson’s 2018 team posted a perfect 15-0 record, capped off by a dominant 44-16 win over Alabama in the National Championship.

The 2018 team was loaded with talent. On offense, quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the way, while running back Travis Etienne bullied opposing defenses. On defense, Clemson had a star-studded defensive line that cause endless issues for foes.

Once again, Clemson has a veteran group this year. Clemson is returning 16 starters from last season. Most notably, Tigers QB1 Cade Klubnik is running it back after having a breakout season last year.

In the 2024 campaign, Klubnik amassed 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. Klubnik won’t lack targets this fall. Clemson is returning its three leading wide receivers from last season as well, along with four of its starting offensive linemen.

Clemson is equally loaded on defense. The team is returning eight starters from last season, including star defensive end TJ Parker. For reference, Clemson tallied 25 sacks last season, tied for the 26th-most in the country.

McShay is far from the only college football expert who has high expectations for Clemson this season. The Tigers are nearly unanimously included in analysts’ preseason Top 10 rankings. Head coach Dabo Swinney is excited for the 2025 campaign.

“I’m probably having more fun these past few years than I’ve had in a long time because I like the challenge,” Swinney said in an interview with CBS Sports this spring. “Challenge is fun. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to lead in college football than right now.”