Joel Klatt believes Dabo Swinney has Clemson back, ranks Tigers in top five for next year

Clemson squeaked into the 12-team College Football Playoff last season before being eliminated in the first round by Texas. It was the first time in four years Clemson reached the CFP. On Monday, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt explained why he believes Clemson’s resurgence is just getting started.

“Here’s a team I really, really like. Really like,” Klatt said. “Dabo Swinney is going to have a group that is capable of winning the national championship. Clemson is really good. Dabo has done it before. Listen, for all the criticism that he’s gotten over the last couple of years, I’ll give it to him — man, he has stayed the course. He has been consistent.

“… They are re-emerging at the top end of college football. I think we saw that last year. They get Cade Klubnik back; third season as a starting quarterback. He took a big step forward last year with Garrett Riley as his offensive coordinator.”

Klatt ultimately ranked Clemson as the No. 4 team in his preseason rankings. In fairness, Klubnik had a career year in 2024, recording 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. Additionally, Klubnik tallied 463 yards and seven TDs in the ground game.

If Klubnik takes another leap forward in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, he could be in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy. After all, Klubnik won’t lack receiving targets.

“They found something that has been missing in recent years, which is wide receiver play,” Klatt said. “Top three wide receivers are back, with Antonio Williams being the No. 1. Two players who played really well as freshmen last year, Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore all back. Love that.

“… The defensive line has studs. Alright, let’s think back to those teams that did win national championships. What did they have on the defensive side for Brent Venables — then-coordinator — great players on the defensive line. And they’re going to have that again.”

Clemson is returning defensive linemen Peter Woods and TJ Parker next season. They are expected to be potential first-round picks in the future. Their talent will only be more obvious against a relatively easy schedule.

“First and last, games should be their toughest opponents,” Klatt said. “They’re going to have an opener against LSU at home, and then they’re going to have South Carolina on the road. They don’t play Miami this year.

“… Watch out for Clemson. I’m just telling you right now, Dabo Swinney is gonna have those boys back and they’re gonna be playing at a high level.”