Clemson Showcasing Top Returning Players, Secures Elite 4-Star Safety Commitment

Clemson Tigers are entering the 2025 college football season with high expectations, bolstered by elite returning talent such as quarterback Cade Klubnik, defensive lineman Peter Woods, and defensive end T.J. Parker, all ranked at the top by Pro Football Focus. Klubnik, a Heisman Trophy contender, showed significant improvement in 2024, while Woods leads as the best returning interior defensive lineman. Clemson is also positioned to secure a major recruiting win with four-star safety Blake Stewart, who is predicted to commit to the Tigers over rivals Michigan, Miami, and Vanderbilt, boosting their 2026 recruiting class. Athlon Sports ranks Clemson fifth nationally, projecting them as ACC champions again, supported by strong offensive and defensive units under new coordinator Tom Allen. Their schedule includes highly ranked opponents like LSU and South Carolina, emphasizing the challenge ahead. Meanwhile, LSU has wrapped up an active official visit period, aiming to convert visits into commitments as recruiting enters a dead period.