Fall camp has begun for Clemson this week. Final preparations for the 2025 season are happening for the Tigers, with the first game just five weeks away. As always, the expectations are high for Dabo Swinney’s team. This season, though, is the first time since 2020 that most people covering the sport feel that Clemson is a true national championship contender.
Those goals are definitely attainable for this team. The pieces are present for the Tigers to make a deep postseason run. Like Swinney, Cade Klubnik, and Peter Woods said at ACC Media Days last week, they have to put in the work to do it.
Clemson Fall Camp Goals
Finalizing the Depth Chart
For most positions, Clemson has a very clear picture of who they have and where they fit on the depth chart. There are a few positions that are still up for grabs, though. Over the next few weeks, those positions will be won.
Who the starting running back will be has been the most asked question for the Tigers this offseason. Klubnik believes multiple guys in the running back room can take the starting role. To this point, Adam Randall has been the likely option after changing positions from wide receiver. He played well in his one game at running back last season against Texas, carrying the ball four times for 44 yards.
Another name that has put himself in the conversation to be the starter is true freshman Gideon Davidson. Everything said about Davidson since his arrival in the spring has all been great. Once he gets some experience at this level, there is no telling how high his ceiling will be.
Running back is not the only position with a battle for the number one spot. Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley must find a new starting tight end as well. Olsen Patt-Henry seems like the likely choice there being the most experienced at the position on the roster. There is also Swinney’s secret weapon, which he acquired in the spring, former Clemson basketball forward Ian Schieffelin.
On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven has an elite starting group with a solid rotation of talent. On the back end is where there is competition to be had. New defense coordinator Tom Allen needs to find a second safety to start alongside Khalil Barnes. Names such as Ricardo Jones and Kylon Griffin are the ones to watch for in that position.
Finding the Identity
All great championship-winning teams have an identity to them. There is something about those teams that people recognize when it comes to their playing style, attitude, or what they do best. For example, the Clemson teams of the 2010s were known for its elite defensive line, high level quarterback play, and explosive offenses especially in the passing game.
As personnel for the Tigers changed, it was harder for them to keep playing the same way. That made it hard for them to find who they were again over the last few years. Going into this season, much of that old identity that won them national championships looks to be back. There is a Heisman contender at quarterback, a deep group of receivers for him to throw to, and an elite defensive line group. That is a great start to finding the identity of this team again, but that’s all it is. There is more to fully forming a team identity.
Fall camp is the time to finally have the whole team together and see what works for them both on and off the field in order to find that identity. Knowing who this team is and what motivates them will help the staff to know what it will take to make this a championship team.
Get Ready for LSU
Of course, all the work done in fall camp is to build towards the start of the season. For Clemson, there is much work to be done to prepare for a tough week one opponent in LSU. Both teams of Tigers are expected to be in the mix for the college football playoffs this season. Each team also has Heisman contenders at quarterback. The task at hand is not going to be an easy one. That means this fall camp will not be easy either.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly has sent a few jabs while talking about the matchup over the last few weeks. Clemson has chosen to keep quiet and just go to work. The time to put that work in is here, with less than 30 days until the prime time kickoff to an exciting 2025 season.
Main Photo: Alexander Hicks-Imagn Images
