Analyst J.D. Pickell believes Clemson could shock the nation in 2025 thanks to elite perimeter talent, returning stars, and Dabo Swinney’s fresh approach.
Why Tigers Could Shock Everyone in 2025
Listen up, college football fans—Clemson is cooking something special for 2025. Fresh off an ACC championship and a spot in last year’s inaugural 12-team playoff, the Tigers aren’t just rebuilding—they’re reloaded and ready to roar. What’s got the analysts buzzing? According to CFB insider Pickell, Clemson’s “actual skill players on the perimeter” might carry this team back to national prominence.
Let’s talk about those game-changing playmakers, shall we? Remember that playoff game against Texas last season? When the chips were down and Clemson needed someone to step up in Austin, who answered the call? That would be TJ Moore, who put on an absolute clinic with nine catches, 116 yards, and a touchdown.
Pickell couldn’t contain his excitement when breaking down Moore’s emergence: “I cannot get it out of my mind, watching the playoff game where Clemson goes to Austin, Texas, and Clemson is fighting for their playoff life in the second half, and who did they go to? TJ Moore time and time again.”
But Moore isn’t the only weapon in Clemson’s arsenal. Bryant Wesco is poised for a breakout year, too, giving returning quarterback Cade Klubnik multiple dangerous options downfield. This duo could be the most electric receiving tandem we’ve seen at Clemson in years.
This makes this Clemson team particularly interesting: Swinney is finally adapting his approach. After years of stubbornly avoiding the transfer portal and outside coaching hires, Swinney is changing with the times. As Pickell puts it:
“Clemson has got to find a way to adjust; they have to. Slightly adjust their way of doing things. And they’ve done that. Dipped their toe in the portal, go grab a Tom Allen from outside your staff for your defensive coordinator to go with another OC you grabbed from outside your staff in Garrett Riley.”
It’s this blend of Clemson’s rock-solid culture with some fresh thinking that many believe the Tigers are about to make serious noise again.
The VIBE is back at Clemson.
– skill players
– psycho DC
– talented QBhttps://t.co/8kQkt2f8Df pic.twitter.com/kO0OQxdcyr— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) May 7, 2025
The Schedule, The Stars, And The Steps To Championship Contention
So what’s standing between Clemson and another national title run? A challenging schedule, for starters. The Tigers open with a blockbuster against LSU on Aug. 30 at home, and they’ll also host Florida State (November 8) and SMU (October 18) in Death Valley. Those games will tell us everything we need to know about this team’s championship mettle.
The good news? Clemson returns eight of eleven offensive starters, including Klubnik and most of his receiving corps. That kind of continuity is gold in today’s college football landscape. It’s why ESPN’s Greg McElroy and other analysts consider Clemson “highly likely” to make another playoff appearance.
Defensively, keep an eye on that secondary. Aveion Terrell, Ashton Hampton, and Khalil Barnes anchor a talented group that could create nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. Sure, there are some depth concerns after a few recruiting misses, but the starting unit has the talent to lock down even the best passing attacks.
Bottom line: If those “actual skill players on the perimeter” live up to their potential, and if Swinney’s strategic adjustments pay off, don’t be surprised if the Tigers are hoisting another national championship trophy when all is said and done. The pieces are there—now it’s just about putting them together.
KEEP READING: Clemson’s CFP Dream Just Got Louder—And a $100K Surprise Has Dabo Swinney’s Staff Fired Up
Meta – Analyst JD PicKell says Clemson has the “old championship vibe” again. Why the Tigers are 2025 CFB Playoff contenders with talent across the board.
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