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Prominent Analyst David Pollack Sees Championship DNA in 2025 Clemson Roster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Lentz | Last updated May 24, 2025 12:25 PM ET

The past few seasons haven’t quite met the gold standard that Dabo Swinney set during Clemson’s championship runs in the late 2010s. But if college football analyst David Pollack is right, the 2025 Tigers may be the program’s best shot in years at returning to the sport’s summit.

Appearing on a recent episode of his See Ball, Get Ball podcast, Pollack delivered a strong endorsement of Swinney’s current roster, saying it mirrors the ones that brought home national titles in 2016 and 2018.

“I see the same things in this roster as I saw with Dabo's championship teams,” Pollack said. “The trio of wide receivers. The quarterback position being solidified. I don't see an offensive line that is a bunch of hammers. That's not who they were then, either. But they are going to survive elsewhere. The defensive line is going to have a couple of first-round picks.”

Championship Blueprint Rebuilt

After a brief dip from national contention, Clemson returned to the College Football Playoff in 2024, only to suffer a first-round exit. But the 2025 group is different — at least on paper.

The offense is built around junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who enters the season with sky-high expectations and legitimate Heisman buzz. Surrounding him is a deep and talented group of wideouts, an emerging run game, and a defense that might be the most NFL-ready unit the Tigers have had since their title days.

Pollack’s high praise echoes a growing national sentiment. Clemson players are well-represented across preseason awards watch lists, and there’s a belief that the culture Swinney established — built on development, toughness, and team chemistry — is beginning to fully mature again under the new-look coaching staff.

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

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