In the fast-evolving landscape of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and a soon-to-expand College Football Playoff, the definition of a “top job” in college football has changed — and Clemson finds itself firmly among the elite.
According to rankings compiled by respected On3 insiders Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman, Clemson comes in at No. 9 on Staples’ list of the Top 10 College Football Jobs in the NIL Era, a sign of the Tigers' sustained relevance and the unique advantages they currently hold.
While powerhouse brands like Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas dominated the top spots, Clemson stood out as a program whose structure and league context may uniquely position it for continued success in the coming years.
Staples notes that Clemson’s placement is bolstered by a number of factors — most notably the potential two-bid access to the College Football Playoff for the ACC. That pathway means the Tigers may only need to finish as one of the conference’s top two teams annually to punch a ticket to the postseason bracket.
“Given Clemson’s superior recruiting to most of the league, that’s a fairly light lift,” Staples wrote.
He also added that while Clemson’s long-term conference affiliation remains uncertain amid ACC media rights challenges, a future move could position the Tigers more equitably in terms of financial resources — further boosting their appeal as a top-tier job.
Clemson’s place on this list also reflects the program’s reputation for development, culture, and national recruiting pull, even as Dabo Swinney has navigated the NIL era more cautiously than many peers. Despite Swinney’s more traditional approach, Clemson has retained top talent and remained competitive in the transfer portal and high school recruiting alike.
On the field, the Tigers boast eight ACC championships in the last 10 seasons and seven College Football Playoff appearances — a consistency matched by only a handful of programs.
While Staples placed Clemson at No. 9, Ari Wasserman’s list did not include the Tigers in his top 10, instead opting for Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Wasserman cited NIL aggressiveness and ceiling potential in his rankings, leaning toward programs with deeper donor bases and more favorable conference positions — a potential blind spot given Clemson’s historic run and current ACC leverage.
Clemson’s inclusion in Staples’ list signals that while the NIL arms race may challenge traditional powers, the Tigers’ infrastructure, culture, and competitive window remain strong. If the ACC maintains its Playoff access and Clemson continues to adapt in the NIL marketplace, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Tigers climb even higher in future versions of these rankings.
Full Top 10 Jobs in the NIL Era (Andy Staples):
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Texas
- Oregon
- LSU
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Michigan
- Clemson
- Penn State
Ari Wasserman’s Top 10:
- Texas
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Texas A&M
- LSU
- Alabama
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
- Oklahoma
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