Dabo Swinney’s Tigers stand at a crossroads. After 16 years at the helm, the coach who brought two national championships to Death Valley hasn’t hoisted a trophy since 2018.
The 2024 season ended with a first-round playoff exit, leaving Clemson fans wondering if their program can reclaim its spot among college football’s elite. With LSU coming to town on August 30, these five questions will define whether the Tigers roar back to prominence or fade into mediocrity.
5 Burning Questions for the Clemson Tigers Ahead of ACC Media Days
1. Can Dabo Swinney Finally Embrace the Transfer Portal Revolution?
The Clemson Tigers open their season on August 30 with a huge home game against LSU. Last year, Clemson faced No. 1 Georgia in their opener, losing 34-3. All eyes will once again be on Swinney’s squad as the Tigers look to avoid another embarrassing performance on national television.
Swinney’s reluctance to use the transfer portal has become his biggest obstacle. While other programs reload through the portal, Clemson continues to rely primarily on high school recruiting. Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer recently spoke about this issue, noting it wasn’t a problem for him since he retained all of his talent. For Swinney, it’s not that easy.
Swinney spoke about college football’s latest settlement, saying, “And I think we’re coming out of a period of complete chaos. And where there’s no cap, the schools can’t handle things directly; it comes from outside entities. You have the agent process that is not regulated.”
2. Can QB Cade Klubnik Silence the Doubters in His Make-or-Break Season?
Clemson’s 2025 success rests on Cade Klubnik’s shoulders. The quarterback has been climbing the charts in a stacked 2026 QB class, but he needs to prove it on the field first. In the team’s 38-24 playoff loss to Texas, Klubnik threw for 336 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
Klubnik finished the 2024 season with a career-high 3,639 passing yards. Now he looks to surpass 4,000 yards in his final collegiate season. The pressure is on for the quarterback to deliver when it matters most.
3. Can the Defense Stay Elite After Key Departures?
A.J. Hoffler and Sherrod Covil Jr. represent two major losses for this Tigers defense. Both entered the transfer portal, which again works against Swinney’s philosophy. Hoffler took his talents to Georgia Tech, while Covil Jr. headed to Virginia Tech.
R.J. Mickens is another significant departure. The 24-year-old now finds himself with the Los Angeles Chargers after five years with Clemson. These losses leave holes that need filling on a defense that prided itself on consistency.
Despite these departures, Clemson’s defense showed resilience in 2024. The Tigers never allowed more than 38 points, with that total coming against No. 5 Texas. A 33-21 loss to Louisville was disappointing, but other than that, the team allowed just 17 points in a three-point loss to No. 15 South Carolina.
4. What’s Next for Garrett Riley’s Offense in 2025?
Garrett Riley took over as offensive coordinator in 2023. He’s worked with several schools since 2020, with Swinney hiring him as the team’s latest offensive guru. Riley has developed a strong working relationship with Klubnik, who will once again be his key piece if Clemson wants to make another championship run.
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When Clemson won in 2024, they won convincingly. The team recorded three victories with 50-plus points scored and five wins with 48-plus points scored. They showed no mercy when ahead, as Riley and Swinney remained on the same page heading into 2025.
5. Does Swinney Have a Plan for the Super Conference Era?
Swinney understands that college football continues to change at a rapid pace. He addressed this reality directly.
“Eventually, money’s going to win the day. I just think people are eventually going to see the business opportunity involved, and it’s going to come down to brands, and TV viewership, and all of that type of stuff. More so than a league … Eventually that’s where it’ll get to. Who knows when we’ll get there? Probably sooner rather than later.”
The ACC now includes 17 teams as part of the conference. Swinney’s squad will face North Carolina and Bill Belichick on Saturday, October 4, in what promises to be one of the season’s most intriguing matchups.
