There is a ton of hype around Clemson going into the 2025 season. Many college football experts and analysts have the Tigers comfortably in the top five of their early preseason rankings. Most see the Tigers as a true national championship contender. Much of this has to do with the bevy of talent Dabo Swinney has assembled on both sides of the ball.
Going into 2025, Clemson will have a Heisman candidate at quarterback, three potential All-American wide receivers, and one of the best defensive lines in the FBS. Those are just the headliners for the Tigers, though. There is even more talent part of this 2025 squad, with many players ready to take the next big step in their development. How these players perform this season will be what brings Clemson back to the National Championship.
Clemson Players Ready for 2025 Breakout Season
Offensive Players to Watch
A player on the offense who sounds ready to make his name known is transfer wide receiver Tristian Smith. After having an All-conference year in 2024 at Southeast Missouri State, Smith transferred to Clemson this offseason. The six-foot-five-inch wide receiver entered Spring practices ready to prove that he belongs on the FBS level. Smith was the talk of the Spring game after catching five passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. He has raised the expectations surrounding him. Smith looks to be a key piece in the Tigers’ offense in 2025.
Sticking with the receivers, another highly talented player who will have a bigger role in the passing game is TJ Moore. The sophomore receiver played great in his freshman season, catching 45 passes for 651 yards and five touchdowns. Moore and Bryant Wesco, Jr helped to improve the Tigers’ passing attack tremendously. While Moore didn’t earn all the same recognition as Wesco in the offseason, he showed he is ready to be a star in college football sooner rather than later. With a year of experience now, Moore is set up to have a huge impact for Clemson in his second year.
Another player who could burst on the scene for the Tigers in 2025 is true freshman running back Gideon Davidson. Reports out of the Clemson Spring practice sessions say Davidson is a player to watch for. Davidson was a highly touted four-star recruit out of Virginia. It has not taken long for him to show why there is so much excitement surrounding his arrival in Death Valley. If Davidson lives up to the hype, it will not take long for him to be featured heavily in the offense. This is especially true with the lack of experience in the running back group this season.
Defensive Players Likely to Make an Impact
On the defensive side of the ball, one player who will be in a much bigger role is linebacker Sammy Brown. The sophomore linebacker was the most exciting commitment in a very talented 2024 Clemson recruiting class. Brown immediately showed why putting on performances that earned him the 2024 ACC Rookie of the Year award. He had the most total tackles by a freshman Tiger under Swinney with 87. Like Moore, Brown has a year of experience now that will benefit him as he moves into a starting role.
Another true sophomore whose first-year experience will help him make big improvements in year two is Ashton Hampton. The lengthy corner played very well in his freshman season. He finished the year with 27 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two interceptions, and a touchdown. Hampton displayed his ability to use his body frame to defend receivers and his great ball skills. He has the athleticism and body frame to become a star cornerback and can prove it this season.
An older veteran player who is ready to make his impact known is DeMonte Capehart. The physical defensive tackle will be entering his sixth season as a Tiger. Capehart has been a key rotation player on the defensive line in his time with the program. In his career, Capehart has 51 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and three pass deflections.
He has a frame that is hard to move and clogs up gaps. Capehart also has strong hands and does a great job changing the line of scrimmage against the run. This will be his first year as a starter. Capehart, next to Peter Woods on the interior, will make the Clemson run defense much better in 2025.
Main Photo: Ken Ruinard – Imagn Images
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