Clemson Lands Inside Top 10 of ESPN’s 2025 Rankings Before Blockbuster Season Opener

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated May 22, 2025 9:06 AM ET

Clemson has officially entered the summer as a top-10 team in ESPN’s updated SP+ rankings, coming in at No. 8 overall—a sign of strong program stability, efficient roster retention, and confidence in Dabo Swinney’s ability to develop and reload without diving into the chaos of the transfer portal.

This year’s SP+ projections are built on a refined formula of returning production, recent recruiting, and program history, and Clemson checks enough boxes to remain firmly in the national spotlight. The Tigers return key pieces on both sides of the ball, including projected Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Cade Klubnik and his elite wide receiver corps, as well as defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive lineman Peter Woods.

The SP+ model isn’t about reputation or hype—it’s about sustainable efficiency, adjusted for tempo and opponent strength. That’s why Clemson’s consistency, elite recruiting base help explain their standing. They’ve also benefited from stability at the coordinator spots for the first time in several years, with Garrett Riley entering Year 3 guiding the offense.

What makes this ranking even more compelling is who sits directly behind Clemson: LSU, the Tigers’ Week 1 opponent. Brian Kelly’s squad enters at No. 9, creating a highly anticipated top-10 matchup to kick off the season. The outcome will offer early clarity on which Tigers—Death Valley’s or Baton Rouge’s—are more primed for a College Football Playoff push.

With the transfer portal averaging over 19 moves per team this offseason, Clemson remains one of the rare elite programs building more from within. That identity is being tested in the modern landscape, but if these projections are any indication, Swinney’s model still works—and might just thrive in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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