This past Thursday, the ACC Network released the first episode of a series of hour-long specials called ACC Authentic. The show follows different ACC programs during their spring practices. It gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the practices and meetings that took place as teams began their preparation for the 2025 season.
The first episode followed the Clemson program during its spring sessions. Even though there was not much to see of what took place on the field, there was a lot to learn about this year’s Tiger squad in the episode. There were enough tidbits that tell us something about where this team stands as fall camp approaches.
ACC Authentic: Clemson Tigers
The Offense is Ready to Shine
The first half of the episode is focused on the offense. One thing that immediately stood out is how the offense knows the pressure is on them to perform this season, and they embrace it. Antonio Williams talked about wanting to get the offense back to the standard of the days of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins. Many believe that with the talent at wide receiver and Cade Klubnik at quarterback, this year’s passing attack could be as good as other top offenses in Clemson’s past.
The trio of Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr, and TJ Moore is one of the best in the country. If Klubnik lives up to his expectations, this will be a top-five offense in the country. Klubnik seems to have the right mindset this offseason to reach the lofty expectations he has for himself going into the season.
In the episode, he talked about how he underperformed in his sophomore year. So he let that motivate him to put his head down and just work. His goal in his junior season was to outwork himself from his sophomore year. The improvement showed on the field almost immediately. He threw 17 more touchdowns and three fewer interceptions in 2024. Now Klubnik’s new goal is to outwork himself from his junior year going into his senior year. That is what it will take for the offense to reach the heights they are expected to.
The Defense is Ready to Get Back to Form
Since the hiring of Tom Allen in the offseason, the Tigers’ defensive leaders have made it clear that the defense will be better. Looking at the interviews and press conferences through the spring, there is a different level of hunger from this defense. The intensity that Allen has brings more of that hunger out of the players.
Allen arrived at Clemson with goals in mind for what he wants the defense to accomplish in the spring. He wanted to instill belief, work technique and fundamentals, identify personnel, get buy-in, and create an “edge” in the defense. Allen has made sure his unit reached those goals.
The over-30-year coaching veteran has brought true toughness and accountability back to the Tiger defense. The best example of this was shown towards the end of the defensive section of the episode. Allen made the rule that for any plays with a lack of effort by a defensive player earns the whole defense earns up-downs.
The way this drill starts, though, is by having the leader for each position group step into the middle of the circled up defense. They then tell everyone how many lack of effort plays his position group had. This shows how serious Allen is about guys not just holding each other accountable, but themselves as well. That will go a long way in bringing the Clemson defense back to form.
The Family Atmosphere at Clemson is Real
The one thing so many people who’ve been around the Clemson program say makes it so special is that the family-like atmosphere is real. Every sports program/franchise in the world talks about the team being a family. For the Tigers, it is not something that is just talked about, it is how they live.
In an ACC network special that aired Wednesday night, Swinney had a sit-down interview with ESPN Analyst Reece Davis and new UNC head coach Bill Belichick. In a part of the interview, Swinney talks about how when building the football facility, he wanted it done in a way that the staff and players can stay there all day and get to really know one another. Examples of how well it worked are shown throughout the ACC Network special.
The love that everyone in the program has for each other is best shown in one of the best moments of the episode. Senior quarterback Paul Tyson received a bouquet of flowers and a note from a secret admirer during a position meeting. For the next few minutes of the episode, the other quarterbacks proceeded to joke with Tyson about the letter.
What made the moment even better was when Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley read the letter aloud in the meeting room. Just after Riley finished reading the letter, Swinney walked in and did the same. It is a small moment, but one that shows the togetherness of not just the players with each other, but also with the coaching staff. Not many head coaches would want to walk into a meeting room of quarterbacks laughing loudly and join in. That kind of togetherness is the foundation a championship team needs.
Main Image: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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