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New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Where do Carson Beck, T.J. Parker rank? The 25 best players in the ACC in 2025
The Atlantic Coast Conference had 42 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft — the league's highest total since 2021 — including No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. Ward was one of seven Miami Hurricanes picked, which led the ACC. Clemson, which won its eighth league championship since 2015, had only three players selected. But the 2026 draft figures to be a big one for the Tigers. Advertisement Dabo Swinney's roster is loaded with returning starters on both sides of the ball, and Clemson is considered a heavy favorite to win the league title again. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are a lot of Tigers on our list of the 25 best players in the league. There might not be a better edge rusher in the country than the 6-foot-3, 265-pound junior from Phenix City, Ala. In 27 career games (17 starts), he has six forced fumbles, 32 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. He took over Clemson's 24-20 win at Pittsburgh last year (four sacks) and terrorized SMU in the ACC Championship Game. It would not be a surprise if the ACC had the first edge rusher and offensive tackle taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mauigoa earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2024 and has been steadily improving in his two seasons as the Hurricanes' starting right tackle. He allowed only two sacks/hits last season — the only FBS tackle with two or fewer knockdowns on 500-plus pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Tigers' two-headed monster on the defensive line, Parker and Woods, is one of several reasons they are favored to win the league in 2025. The 6-3, 315-pound Woods had 28 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and three sacks, in his first season as a full-time starter — solid numbers for an interior lineman. Klubnik is third behind Arch Manning (Texas) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) in Heisman odds, according to BetMGM. The reality is Klubnik probably has a better collection of receivers and offensive linemen than those other two QBs, which is why Clemson has a legitimate shot to win the national title. Klubnik's passing efficiency rating jumped from 80th in 2023 to 28th last season. His 36 touchdown passes in 2024 are the most for any returning quarterback in the country. Found myself watching Clemson/VT late into the night. I still find this play by Cade Klubnik objectively ridiculous. More like this from 2️⃣ in the fall, and great things will happen for the Tigers. 🎥: @ClemsonFB — Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) June 17, 2025 Parker has to be the favorite for ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025, but keep an eye on this 6-foot, 225-pound redshirt junior from East Orange, N.J. Louis, a first-team All-ACC pick in 2024, had 101 tackles (second among returning ACC players), 15.5 TFLs, seven sacks and four interceptions as a redshirt sophomore. His size is the only reason NFL scouts are projecting him as a Day 2 pick. Advertisement The 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year was limited to 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as he fought through injury and appeared in only nine games in 2024. But many expect the Miami native to regain his freshman-year form when he produced 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and was a menace along the defensive front. At 6-3, 275 pounds, Bain will line up both inside and outside for new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. Williams, a former top-75 national recruit, was a first-team All-ACC pick in 2024, catching 75 passes for 904 yards and a league-leading 11 TDs. A redshirt junior from Irmo, S.C., Williams teams with sophomores Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore to form the top wide receiver trio in the ACC and one of the best in the nation. The 5-11, 180-pound junior and younger brother of 2020 NFL first-round pick A.J. Terrell earned second-team All-ACC honors last fall. He was credited with 58 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He's considered a much better run defender than his brother — something new Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen surely likes. The 5-10 senior from Beaumont, Texas, is considered a top-50 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's been highly productive in his career, with 164 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, five interceptions and 21 pass breakups over three seasons in Durham. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2024 and will help anchor what should be a top-three secondary in the league. The ACC player with the second-best odds to win the Heisman was Georgia's starting quarterback last season. Beck, considered at one point to be a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, would love to follow in the footsteps of Ward, who was the first pick after putting up huge numbers in Shannon Dawson's offense. Beck, however, doesn't have the same talent at receiver that Ward had to work with. But he does have an elite offensive line, talent in the backfield and plenty of pass-catchers eager to prove themselves. Advertisement North Carolina's Omarion Hampton parlayed back-to-back ACC rushing titles into becoming a first-round pick. Brown, the top returning rusher in the league (1,173 yards as a true freshman), will be running behind an offensive line that returns only one starter. The good news is that Louisville coach Jeff Brohm has a pretty good track record in the portal. The Cards signed six O-line transfers who started at least seven games last season, including two from Power 4 schools. New quarterback Miller Moss (USC) can also spin it. Louisville RB Isaac Brown will be one of the best 2027 Running Backs: You want to talk about a modern day RB? – Incredible burst– Dynamic receiver 1,100+ rush yards on 7.1 YPC and 30+ receptions as a true freshman. Do-it-all running back at the next level. — Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) May 19, 2025 Miller is one of the two returning first-team All-ACC offensive linemen. The 6-6, 315-pound Ohio native has started 41 games in his career, with all but two coming at right tackle. The only returning ACC offensive lineman with more career starts is the guy who lines up next to him at Clemson: right guard Walker Parks (42 starts). Who are the ACC's most experienced quarterbacks? SMU backup Tyler Van Dyke and King, who both have 31 career starts. King finished second in the league last season to Ward in passing efficiency, throwing only two interceptions while completing 72.9 percent of his attempts for 2,114 yards and 14 touchdowns. Of course, what makes King so dynamic is his ability to take off and run, and his 587 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns are the most for a quarterback returning to the league this season. Mensah, a former two-star recruit from California, got paid a lot of money to leave Tulane and replace Maalik Murphy (now at Oregon State). He ranked sixth nationally in passing efficiency as a redshirt freshman, completing 65.9 percent of his attempts for 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Duke has some holes to fill around Mensah, but three starters return on the offensive line, and the Blue Devils should again have a good defense. The first-team All-ACC first selection in 2024 is one of two returning full-time starters from the No. 1 scoring defense in the league. The 6-1, 202-pound fifth-year senior, Dallas native and former three-star recruit is one of only four Power 4 players nationally who had 100 tackles and at least three interceptions last season. Woodaz, a senior and former three-star recruit from Tampa, Fla., recorded 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and one interception last season to earn All-ACC honorable mention honors. He will be asked to lead a linebacking corps that lost Barrett Carter to the NFL. Few former FCS transfers made as big an impact last season as Reid did for the Panthers. He earned first-team All-ACC honors as an all-purpose threat, rushing for 966 yards and five touchdowns while catching a team-high 52 passes for 579 yards and four scores. He also scored on a 78-yard punt return. The 5-8, 175-pound Miami native was an unranked recruit coming out of high school who played two seasons at Western Carolina. Desmond Reid can FLY ✈️ 📺 ESPN2 #H2P » #WeNotMe — Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 7, 2024 Barnes has led Clemson in interceptions the last two seasons, with three in 2023 and four in 2024. His 21 career starts are the most in Clemson's secondary. The Tigers need to fill the spot next to him at safety with R.J. Mickens off to the NFL, and will rely heavily on Barnes to lead. Brown earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2023 when the Seminoles won the league title and went 13-0 overall. Last season, he led FSU with 70 tackles and was among the nation's leaders with two blocked field goals in a dreadful 2-10 season. Back for his fifth season in Tallahassee, Brown should thrive in new defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme. Advertisement With Syracuse's Oronde Gadsden II off to the NFL and Jack Endries leaving Cal for Texas, Joly is the top returning tight end in the ACC from a production standpoint. The former UConn transfer caught 43 passes for 661 yards and four touchdowns last season and should be one of the primary targets for sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey in new coordinator Kurt Roper's offense. 'Big Red' anchored Georgia Tech's offensive line, which tied for second nationally in fewest sacks allowed (six) and paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked fourth in the ACC in yards per carry (4.95). The 6-4, 310-pound senior, a former transfer from Middle Tennessee, earned first-team All-ACC honors and was a first-team All-America pick by Sports Info Solutions. Brown is one of 16 former five-star recruits in the ACC — and one of Clemson's seven. As a freshman in 2024, he started six games and finished third on the team with 80 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and five sacks. He earned Freshman All-America honors and became the fourth Clemson player to win ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Syracuse lost a lot of star power from Fran Brown's 10-3 debut as head coach. Chestnut's 35 career starts make him by far the Orange's most experienced returning player. He finished second on the team with 62 tackles and added five pass breakups, one interception and 3.5 tackles for loss. The third-year junior from Columbus, Ohio, started nine games for the Panthers last season and produced 82 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and one interception return for a touchdown. It earned him a spot on the All-ACC third team. He's one of six full-time starters back for veteran defensive coordinator Randy Bates, whose unit ranked fourth in the league in yards per play allowed (5.15) and second in yards per carry allowed (3.08). Robinson is among six full-time defensive starters back for Tony Elliott, who desperately needs a big year after winning only 11 games in his first three seasons. Robinson's stellar sophomore season included 64 tackles, including six for loss and five sacks. 26. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU Advertisement 27. Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State 28. Jimmy Scott, DE, Pittsburgh 29. PJ Williams, OT, SMU 30. Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech 31. Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College 32. Wesley Williams, DE, Duke 33. Terry Moore, S, Duke 34. RJ Maryland, TE, SMU 35. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford (Photo of T.J. Parker: Bob Donnan / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dre Quinn, a 2026 4-star edge rusher, commits to Clemson football, Dabo Swinney over Texas
CLEMSON — Clemson football and coach Dabo Swinney landed their third defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of four-star edge rusher Dre Quinn. The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder from Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, is rated the No. 29 player in the state by the 247Sports Composite rankings. Quinn recorded 42 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in his junior season with Buford, according to MaxPreps. Advertisement Quinn chose Clemson over Texas, announcing his commitment on On3Sports' YouTube channel on June 19. He is Clemson's 19th commitment in the 2026 class. He joins three-stars Kameron Cody and JR Hardrick as its defensive lineman commits. Swinney's 2026 class is ranked No. 6 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. It has 13 four-star recruits and six three-stars commits. It is a complete change from last year's cycle that finished with 15 signees and ranked 26th nationally, which was Swinney's lowest-rated cycle since 2010 and his smallest class since 2017. Quinn is the second recruit from Georgia in the 2026 class to commit to the Tigers, joining Cody. He is also the seventh defensive player to commit to Clemson. Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00 This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Dre Quinn commits to Dabo Swinney in 2026 class
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Clemson football became a popular 2025 CFP pick, even if Dabo Swinney might not agree
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney said he doesn't understand the praise his team is receiving entering the 2025 season. The Tigers are coming off their first ACC championship win since 2022 and first CFP appearance since 2020. They are a popular pick to repeat as conference champions and to achieve more. Advertisement Clemson has the eighth-best chance to win the national championship, according to ESPN's Football Power Index and DraftKings Sportsbook. It also has a Heisman trophy candidate with quarterback Cade Klubnik. But to Swinney, Clemson is nearly the same team as last year. So, when ESPN's Rece Davis mentioned the Tigers could be ranked No. 1 in preseason polls, Swinney was astonished. "We got the same team we had last year, so how are we preseason (No. 1)? What happened?" Swinney said during his sit-down interview with Davis and North Carolina coach Bill Belichick. Well, a combination of factors from development and retention of homegrown players to Swinney using the transfer portal to the addition of a new defensive coordinator has Clemson viewed as a team to be a national contender. Advertisement Here's how each has made Clemson a hot commodity in 2025. Dabo Swinney's retention of top players has Clemson in prime position Swinney touts that Clemson doesn't lose many players to the portal, and it delivered again this offseason. In the winter, they lost five players to the portal, the second fewest for a Power 4 program, and lost one in the spring. Each player who departed was not a starter. MORE: How Clemson football stacks up vs returning QBs from LaNorris Sellers to Garrett Nussmeier According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, Clemson returns the most production than any other team in Division I (80%). Klubnik was among players who returned for another season, along with top wide receiver Antonio Williams, offensive tackles Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh and linebacker Wade Woodaz. Advertisement Clemson also retained star contributors like defensive tackle Peter Woods, defensive end T.J. Parker, cornerback Avieon Terrell, linebacker Sammy Brown and wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. Clemson keeping key starters out of the portal is a testament to the culture Swinney created. It also retained third-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Its experienced roster with a veteran quarterback and familiar coaches is among reasons why it is valued as a premier team. Dabo Swinney lands largest transfer portal class in Clemson history Clemson added three transfer players in the winter cycle: wide receiver Tristan Smith, defensive end Will Heldt and linebacker Jeremiah Alexander. These additions are more than what they have taken in the previous six years of the portal's existence (two). Advertisement "The crazy thing is we signed a portal guy three out of the last four years," Swinney said in February. "As I always said, we do what's best for Clemson, and I've always said we'll use the portal whenever we need it, and we'll be strategic with it." Swinney was criticized for his lack of portal use last season as the Tigers were one of four FBS schools (Navy, Army, Air Force) to not add a transfer. Their inability to add a transfer, despite pursuing four offensive linemen in the offseason, came after they missed the CFP for a third straight season after making it from 2015-20. Clemson made the playoffs last year despite not adding a transfer but immersed itself in the portal after roster spots came available. Smith, 6-foot-5, will add depth behind Williams, Wesco and Moore. Heldt is expected to play opposite of Parker on the defensive line to add another pass-rushing threat. Alexander will back up Woodaz and Brown and could be featured in Clemson's heavy personnel. All three position groups suffered significant injuries last season. With these transfer additions, Clemson will have considerable depth if it suffers injuries in 2025. Tom Allen may have be missing piece for Clemson football Clemson's offense thrived last season, but its defense struggled. Clemson was 50th in the nation in scoring defense (23.4 points) and 69th in total defense (374.1 yards) last season under Wes Goodwin. Its biggest flaw was the run defense, allowing 160.6 yards per game (84th). Advertisement As a result, Swinney hired former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen in January. The Nittany Lions were No. 8 in scoring defense (16.5 points), No. 7 in total defense (294.8 yards) and No. 9 against the run (101.9 yards) last year under Allen. He was a semifinalist for the 2024 Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant, and Swinney's fifth straight external hire. Allen is Swinney's highest-paid assistant and carries intensity, personality and defensive prowess similar to former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Allen said in the spring there is a difference between joining Penn State, a team that was top three in scoring and total defense when he arrived in 2024, to joining Clemson. Still, Allen believes Clemson's defense is talented and experienced enough to be better in 2025. If its defense improves, it will be a key reason for it competing for the national championship. Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00 This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Dabo Swinney doesn't agree with 2025 Clemson football predictions
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson football, Dabo Swinney dismiss 2025 signee Marquise Henderson from program
CLEMSON — Clemson football has dismissed 2025 signee Marquise Henderson from the program. In a statement on June 19, a team spokesperson said "Clemson has made the decision to dismiss Marquise Henderson from its program. We wish him the best as he moves forward." Advertisement Henderson is expected to enter the transfer portal. Henderson committed to Clemson on Dec. 11, 2023, over Arizona, Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, NC State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Virginia Tech. He was a four-star athlete and the No. 4 player in South Carolina, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. In his senior season at Belton-Honea Path, he rushed for 2,122 yards with 26 touchdowns to make first-team All-Upstate. Henderson was a mid-year enrollee, showing up on campus during Clemson's College Football Playoff preparations. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney planned for him to start on offense as he was expected to wear No. 3, and defensive end T.J. Parker wears No. 3 on defense. Advertisement Henderson missed most of spring practice with a hamstring injury. Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00 This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football dismisses 2025 signee Marquise Henderson from program
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ACC Dynasty or College Football Playoff Bust?
ACC Dynasty or College Football Playoff Bust? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Clemson. The name alone sends shivers down the spine of opposing ACC coaches. After a spring that had the positive press flowing like Sweet Tea at a summer picnic, the whispers are getting louder: The Tigers aren't just back in the College Football Playoff conversation, they're ready to reclaim their throne! Advertisement Winning the whole thing for the first time since 2018 – but the third time in less than a decade under the enigmatic Dabo Swinney – is a whole different beast. But according to USA TODAY's Blake Toppmeyer, who dared to peek into his crystal ball and unveil his five national championship sleepers, Clemson stands tall with the juiciest betting odds of the bunch. Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with the national championship trophy after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide.© Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images Clemson: The Vegas Darling (13-to-1 Odds!) Seriously, what's not to love about these Tigers? They're practically bursting at the seams with returning talent, making them the undisputed kings of the ACC jungle. Much like their Week 1 nemesis, LSU, Clemson boasts a seasoned gunslinger in Cade Klubnik and a receiving corps that could give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares for weeks. Advertisement And speaking of Week 1, mark your calendars, folks! Clemson hosts LSU in a "prove-it" game that could set the tone for the entire season. The Tigers' roster is stacked with future NFL draft picks, including defensive line monsters Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. Their offensive line? Seasoned, solid, and ready to pave the way. And in a move that sent shockwaves through the college football world – gasp! – Dabo Swinney actually dipped into the transfer portal, adding three crucial pieces to bolster their two-deep. The path to the playoff from the ACC is clearer than a Carolina blue sky. All the pieces are there. The hype is real. TRENDING NOW ON ESPN! CLEMSON UFL STANDOUT INKS DEAL WITH NFL TEAM! TIGERS SHORE UP COACHING STAFF WITH LATEST HIRE! NATIONAL BASEBALL ANALYST TAGS CLEMSON ACE AS POTENTIAL FIRST-ROUNDER! BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! The LSU Factor (20-1 Odds!) That Week 1 opponent, Brian Kelly's LSU Tigers, aren't exactly slouches either. They also crashed Toppmeyer's exclusive five-team list. Kelly, it seems, has mastered the donor game this offseason, and it's paid off handsomely in their transfer haul. Nobody, and we mean nobody, secured a better portal class than Baton Rouge. They snagged defensive line studs like Patrick Payton (Florida State) and Jack Pyburn (Florida), fortifying a defense that's been shakier than a Louisiana swamp bridge for years. Advertisement Couple that defensive infusion with the proven arm of Garrett Nussmeier and a wide receiver room brimming with talent, and it's easy to see why Kelly is boldly proclaiming this as his finest LSU roster yet. Sure, their schedule is littered with more land mines than a Call of Duty map, but on sheer talent alone, LSU is better positioned for a national title run than they've been in years. So, buckle up, college football fanatics! Week 1 is going to be an absolute slugfest, and the implications for the College Football Playoff race are massive. Can Clemson live up to the hype and start their national title quest with a bang, or will LSU spoil the party and prove they're the true championship sleeper? You won't want to miss a single snap! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
