Clemson football
by Yuvi K - December 29, 2023
As one of the most successful programs in college football, the Clemson Tigers have been a fixture in the sport since the team’s formation in 1896. The Tigers have won six national championships, one national title in 2019, and have appeared in 14 College Football Playoff games, winning four of them.
Since taking over as head coach in 2009, Dabo Swinney has established a winning culture within the program. The Tigers have experienced sustained periods of success, posting a 104-29 record in the decade. Clemson has reached the ACC Championship Game 9 out of the last 10 years and have won the conference five times during that stretch, along with the two national titles. The success of the program has been fueled by consistent recruiting classes that have landed elite talent year after year. The Tigers signed the No. 1 recruiting class last season, highlighted by five-star quarterback recruit D.J. Uiagalelei, as well as the No. 1 safety, Derion Kendrick, out of South Carolina.
Offensively, the Tigers have been led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lawrence was a three-time ACC Player of the Year and three-time All-American, while throwing for 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns in three seasons at Clemson. Lawrence looked poised to lead the Tigers to a third consecutive national championship before opting out of his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clemson’s defense has been just as impressive, ranking inside the top 10 nationally in total defense each of the last three years. Swinney has identified the defensive line as the program’s biggest strength, led by NFL first-round picks Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, and Dexter Lawrence. The explosive defensive line has accounted for 36 sacks in 2020 and have wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks all season long.
The future looks bright for the Clemson Tigers with their strong recruiting classes, along with loaded returning players like three-year starting cornerback, Andrew Booth, Jr. While the pandemic has thrown a wrench into the college football season, the Tigers remain a top contender to bring home another national championship in 2021.
